New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued strict guidelines for the Senior Men’s Cricket Team, aiming to enhance discipline, streamline logistics, and promote team unity during domestic and international tours. The new guidelines include travel, baggage limits, family visits, and team dynamics.
Players are expected to travel with the team for all matches and practice sessions. Separate travel arrangements with families are discouraged to maintain discipline and team cohesion. Any exceptions must be pre-approved by the head coach and chairman of the selection committee.
“All players are expected to travel with the team to and from matches and practice sessions. Separate travel arrangements with families are discouraged to maintain discipline and team cohesion. Exceptions, if any, must be pre- approved by the Head Coach and Chairman of the Selection Committee,” BCCI stated.
To streamline logistics and avoid challenges, the BCCI has set specific baggage limits for players and support staff. For away tours lasting more than 30 days, players are allowed 5 pieces of luggage (3 suitcases and 2 kit bags) or up to 150 kg, while support staff can bring 3 pieces (2 large suitcases and 1 small) or up to 80 kg. For away tours shorter than 30 days, players are permitted 4 pieces (2 suitcases and 2 kit bags) or up to 120 kg, and support staff are allowed 2 pieces (2 suitcases) or up to 60 kg. During home series, both players and support staff are limited to 4 pieces (2 suitcases and 2 kit bags) or up to 120 kg for players, and 2 pieces (2 suitcases) or up to 60 kg for support staff.
“Excess Baggage Limit Players are required to adhere to the specified baggage limits shared with the team. Any excess baggage costs will need to be borne by the individual player. This policy helps streamline logistics and avoid unnecessary expenses.
Baggage policy:-
Away long-duration tours (more than 30 days):
Players – 5 pieces (3 suitcases + 2 kit bags) OR upto 150 kgs. Support staff – 2 pieces (2 big + 1 small suitcases) OR upto 80 kgs.
Away short duration tours (less than 30 days):
Players – 4 pieces (2 suitcases + 2 kit bags) OR upto 120 kgs. Support staff – 2 pieces (2 suitcases) OR upto 60 kgs.
Home series: Players – 4 pieces (2 suitcases + 2 kit bags) OR upto 120 kgs. Support staff – 2 pieces (2 suitcases) OR upto 60 kgs.”
Players must adhere to these limits, with any excess baggage costs being borne individually.
The presence of personal staff, such as managers, chefs, assistants, and security personnel, is restricted on tours and series. Any exceptions require explicit approval from the BCCI. This measure aims to ensure team focus and minimize logistical complications.
“Restriction on Individual Staff on Tour/Series Personal staff (e.g., personal managers, chefs, assistants and security) are to be restricted on tours or series unless explicitly approved by the BCCI. This ensures that the focus remains on team operations and minimizes logistical challenges. – this has to be done away with,” BCCI said in a statement.
Players must coordinate with team management regarding the transfer of equipment or personal items to the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Any costs incurred due to separate arrangements will be the responsibility of the player.
“Sending bags separately to the Centre of Excellence Players must coordinate with team management regarding equipment and personal items being sent to the Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru. Any additional costs incurred due to separate arrangements will be the player’s responsibility,” BCCI stated.
The family travel policy is designed to balance players’ personal well-being with team commitments. Players who are away from India for more than 45 days during overseas tours are eligible to have their partners and children (under 18) join them for one visit per series, with a maximum duration of two weeks. The BCCI will cover shared accommodation with the player during the visitors’ period, while all other expenses must be borne by the player. Visits should be coordinated to occur at a single time, with dates agreed upon by the coach, captain, and GM Operations. Any exceptions to this policy must be pre-approved by the coach, captain, and GM Operations, and additional expenses beyond the visitors’ period will not be covered by the BCCI.
“Family Travel Policy 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.
Players are required to stay with the team until the scheduled end of a match series or tour, even if matches conclude earlier than planned. This ensures team unity, bonding, and consistent team dynamics.
“Players returning home if matches end early then players are required to stay with the team until the scheduled end of the match series or tour, regardless of whether matches conclude earlier than planned. This ensures unity, fosters team bonding, and avoids disruption to team dynamics,” as stated in the policy by BCCI.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday released new policies for Team India, making it “mandatory” to participate in domestic matches to remain “eligible” for selection in the national team and for the central contracts.
In the policy, BCCI stated that taking part in domestic cricket will remain connected to the cricket ecosystem. The statement added that any exceptions to taking part in domestic cricket will be considered only under extraordinary circumstances.
“Participation in Domestic Matches is mandatory for players to remain eligible for selection in the national team and for central contracts, as per BCCI guidelines. This policy ensures that players remain connected to the domestic cricket ecosystem, fostering talent development, maintaining match fitness, and strengthening the overall domestic structure. It also inspires emerging players by providing them opportunities to compete alongside top cricketers, ensuring continuity in talent progression. Any exceptions to this mandate will be considered only under extraordinary circumstances and will require formal notification and approval from the Chairman of the Selection Committee, ensuring fairness and transparency in the process,” BCCI said in a statement.
Recently, Team India conceded a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Australia in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 and lost the opportunity to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord’s.
Earlier on Tuesday, Rohit Sharma reunited with Mumbai’s squad for their training sessions ahead of the second phase of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, according to ESPNcricinfo.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill also confirmed his availability for Punjab’s upcoming Ranji Trophy sixth-round fixture against Karnataka, set to begin on January 23 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Earlier in the day, a source from the BCCI said that Team India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate and Abhishek Nayar’s roles are under scanner as the BCCI aren’t happy with the apparent ‘Kolkata Knight Riders touch’ in the team management.
BCCI sources also said that former Saurashtra cricketer Sitanshu Kotak is set to join Team India as an assistant batting coach soon. (With inputs from ANI)
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