New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) might reportedly consider making changes in its policy limiting the stay of players’ family members during international tours. The development comes after Team India star Virat Kohli recently criticised BCCI’s policy while highlighting the importance of having their family members around for players after intense and tough moments on the field.
The BCCI is reportedly considering allowing the players to have their family members for an extended period on overseas tours by obtaining prior permission from the board. BCCI implemented new rules, restricting family time on tours after India’s crushing 3-1 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia earlier this year.
Following the team’s dismal show, BCCI released a 10-point disciplinary guideline with restrictions on the amount of time that the family members will be allowed to stay with the players on a tour. BCCI stated that the family members, including wife/partner and the children (less than 18) of the players can join them for a maximum of two weeks during a tour of up to 45 days, and for a week on a tour less than the duration of 45 days.
As per a report in India Today, sources have revealed that the BCCI is willing to reconsider its policy after Kohli’s criticism. “Players can apply for permission if they want their families to stay longer on tours. The BCCI will make a decision as it sees fit,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by India Today.
What did Virat Kohli say about BCCI’s family stay policy?
Speaking at RCB’s Innovation Lab Summit in Bengaluru last week, Kohli openly spoke against the new rules implemented by BCCI, emphasising why letting players spend time with their family members on gruelling tours is important. Kohli said it is difficult to explain to everyone how valuable it is for players to go back to their family members after playing a game and also slammed the decision-makers who introduced the policy.
“I don’t think people have an understanding of what value it brings. I don’t want to go to my room and just sit alone and sulk. I want to be able to be normal. Then you can really treat your game as something that is a responsibility,” Kohli said at the event.
Indian players were joined by their wives/partners and other family members in Dubai during the recently concluded Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand. India beat New Zealand by 4 wickets in the final to clinch their third title. Following the team’s triumph, Kohli’s wife Anushka Sharma and skipper Rohit Sharma’s wife Ritika Sajdeh among others were seen celebrating together on the ground.
The BCCI is reportedly willing to reconsider the limitations on the presence of players’ family members on Team India’s tours after Virat Kohli’s recent criticism of the policy. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
