Following India’s disappointing loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series in Australia and the team’s failure to qualify for the World Test Championship final for the first time in history, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced strict regulations concerning family travel, baggage limits, and personal advertisement shoots.
Now, the senior player of Indian Cricket Team Virat Kohli has opened up on the new rules, expressing his disappointment. Recently, Virat spoke at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit in Bengaluru, ahead of the much-awaited IPL 2025.
The batter opened up on BCCI's fresh diktat restricting the presence of families while players are on tour.
Virat Kohli on BCCI’s ‘no-family policy’ on overseas tours
Credits: Instagram/indiancricketteam
The 36-year-old Indian batsman didn’t hold back as he highlighted the emotional toll such restrictions take on cricketers. “It's very difficult to explain to people how grounding it is to just come back to your family every time you have something which is intense, which happens on the outside,” he said during the RCB event.
“I don't think people have an understanding of what value it brings to a large extent. And I feel quite disappointed about that because it's like people who have no control over what's going on are kind of brought into conversations and put out at the forefront that, 'oh, maybe they need to be kept away,” the cricketer added.
Credits: X/husnain19X
Kohli went on to talk about how players feel normal when they are around their family and said, “If you ask any player, do you want your family to be around you all the time? You'll be like, yes. I don't want to go to my room and just sit alone and sulk…I want to be able to be normal. And then you can really treat your game as something that is a responsibility. You finish that responsibility, and you come back to life.”
Credits: Instagram/anushkasharma
Further talking about the human side of cricket, Virat added, “You finish your commitment and then you come back to your house, you’re with family, and absolutely normalcy in your house and normal family life goes on… So, for me, that is absolutely a day of immense pleasure. I won’t miss any opportunities to go out and spend time with my familywhenever I can.”
What is BCCI's family travel policy?According to the new BCCI rule the family travel policy ensures a balance between players’ personal well-being and team commitments.
• Eligibility: Players absent from India for more than 45 days during overseas tours can be joined by their partners and children (under 18) for one visit per series (format-wise) of up to a two-week period.
• Provisions: The BCCI will cover shared accommodation with the player for the visitors’ period. All other expenses are to be borne by the player.
• Coordination: Visits must be scheduled at a single time during dates agreed upon by the coach, captain, and GM operations.
• Exceptions: Any deviation from this policy must be pre-approved by the coach, captain and GM operations. Additional expenses outside the visitors’ period will not be covered by the BCCI.
What happens if players do not follow BCCI policy?
Credits: Instagram/anushkasharma
BCCI had unveiled a 10-point policy to promote discipline and unity in the Indian cricket team after the loss against Australia earlier in the year. This includes the limited duration for which players’ families can stay with them during the overseas tournaments.
If the players fail to comply with the rules, they will invite sanctions, including cuts in their retainer fee from central contracts and a bar on participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Social and lead images Credits: Instagram/indiancricketteam
