The BCCI has made sweeping changes to Indian cricket team's player regulations in the wake of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy debacle.

Cracking the whip against the players, the Indian board implemented a stringent 10-point policy, including making participation in domestic tournaments mandatory and limiting travel of wives and girlfriends on overseas tours. It also warned of disciplinary action in case of non-compliance.

On Saturday (January 18), BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar shared his thoughts on the newly-introduced diktat for the centrally contracted Indian cricketers.

Addressing the media for the squad announcement of the Champions Trophy 2025 and the England ODI series, Agarkar commented on the reasoning behind bringing the new rules in place. He mentioned that the management observed in the last few months that they needed some changes and hence they have been put in place to improve team bonding.

"I think every team has some rules in place. We have spoken about various things you see over the last few months where we can improve as a team and get a bit closer as a team. We have seen in the last few months the need for some changes, more bonding in the team," Agarkar told reporters.

Moreover, Agarkar said it’s not like a school punishment for the players and the rules have been in place before as well. He also emphasizing the importance of obeying such rules while representing your country.

“It's not a school, it's not a punishment. It’s just you have some rules and when you are playing for the national team, you just follow the rules. These are mature individuals. They are superstars in their own right in international sport. They know how to handle themselves," Agarkar remarked.

"But, at the end of the day, you’re eventually representing your country and there are certain things that you inherently follow as every team does. I think a lot of them have been in place, maybe we’ve spoken about it now and it has been put out but a lot of them have been in place in any case. You keep on refining it as you go along, eventually what suits the team, you want to try and do that,” he concluded.

BCCI’s 10-point disciplinary guidelines also prohibit players from travelling with personal staff such as cooks, hairdressers, stylists, or personal security guards during tours.

It is understood that the restrictions were sought by head coach Gautam Gambhir in a review meeting of the team's recent poor run.

The policy document aims to promote discipline, unity, and a positive team environment while ensuring professional standards and operational efficiency during tours and series.