The families of Indian players will reportedly not be allowed to stay for the entire duration of an away series.
The BCCI recently conducted a review meeting of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, which India lost 1-3 at the hands of Australia.
According to reports, the Indian board has cracked the whip on senior Indian cricketers by asking them to play domestic cricket. There are also reported mandates for family members, managers and support staff.
Apparently, the families of players will not be allowed to stay for the entire duration of an away series.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, ex-India opener Aakash Chopra addressed the reported guidelines and said, “The Internet is going crazy as to why families and partners are not being allowed to travel as it’s not their fault. It’s not their fault. Teams never lose because of them. Players are happier when they go and meet their family. There are two aspects to it."
While Aakash acknowledged that the families of Indian cricketers are not responsible for the team’s losses, he didn’t see the guidelines as a ‘bad call.’
“If it’s a tour of more than 45 days, at the start, you get the team together and the families can come for two weeks in the middle when you feel homesick and then you get back to business. It’s not that bad," he stated.
The former cricketer-turned-commentator further mentioned that a rule of this sort was prevalent earlier when some married cricketers were a part of the senior squad. “There was a reason why it used to happen like that earlier. It’s not that people weren’t married earlier… Sachin paaji (Tendulkar), Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Anil bhai (Kumble), when all these married people used to travel with us, the wives were allowed for some time," he added.
Aakash Chopra also recalled India’s tour of Australia in 2003-04 when the entire senior team spent time with other players’ families. “I remember us celebrating New Year in Sydney and the entire team was on the boat. I think Rahul Dravid’s wife was there. We were playing games and you develop a bond," he concluded.
India’s next assignment is the white-ball series (five T20Is and three ODIs) against England at home. This will be followed by the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, slated to be held in Pakistan and UAE from February 19 to March 9.