New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajt Saikia on Wednesday said the board will not change the current policy regarding the stay of family members on Team India’s overseas tours. Saikia said the policy was not made overnight and that it is of paramount importance for the board as the rules apply to everyone in the Indian cricket team.
Saikia’s comments come after reports on Tuesday claimed that the BCCI might consider changing its policy following criticism from former India skipper Virat Kohli, who openly spoke against the policy and highlighted the importance of having family members around for the players on gruelling overseas tours. Speaking at an event in Bengaluru, Kohli said every Indian player would want their family members to be on the tour with them.
Taking a potshot at the decision-makers in the BCCI, Kohli said he doesn’t want to return from an intense game and sulk alone in his room. The former India skipper said family remains his priority and that he would not want to miss out on any chance of spending time with his family. Kohli’s wife Anushka Sharma has often been spotted cheering for him during matches overseas.
BCCI secretary dismisses reports of change in family stay policy
Responding to Kohli’s criticism, BCCI secretary Saikia made it clear that the board will not change the policy anytime soon, dismissing recent reports of the board mulling changes. Though he acknowledged there would be disagreements and certain players might not like the policy, he insisted the rules were formed keeping the interests of all stakeholders in mind.
“At this stage, the current policy will remain intact, as it is of paramount importance to both the nation and our institution, the BCCI,” Devajit Saikia was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
“The BCCI recognises that there may be some resentment or differing opinions, as in a democratic setup, people are entitled to express their views. The policy is applied uniformly to all team members – players, coaches, managers, support staff, and everyone involved – and has been implemented with the best interests of everyone in mind,” he added.
The family stay policy was reintroduced after India’s debacle in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia. As part of a 10-point SOPs for the players, support staff and others with the Indian men’s team, the BCCI stated that the family members of the players will be allowed to stay with them for only two weeks on an overseas tour exceeding 45 days, and for maximum a week on tours of the duration of less than 45 days.
The BCCI also directed the players that such visits by their family members should be planned for a single time during a tour, on dates agreed by the team captain, coach and the general manager. The board also said it would only cover the cost of shared accommodation of the family members with the player and that all other expenses should be borne by the player himself.
BCCI secretary Saikia also pointed out that the family members of the Indian players were not allowed on overseas tours before the Virat Kohli-Ravi Shastri era in Indian cricket. The rules were changed keeping the modern-day requirements in mind. However, BCCI is keen to stick to the new policy and is unlikely to change it anytime soon.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has clarified that the Indian cricket board is not planning to change their family stay policy anytime soon despite critcisim from former India captain Virat Kohli. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
