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 guidelines, including making participation in domestic tournaments mandatory and limiting travel of wives and girlfriends on overseas tours.

The policy document aims to promote discipline, unity, and a positive team environment while ensuring professional standards and operational efficiency during tours and series. It also warned of disciplinary action in case of non-compliance.

During an appearance on ESPN’s Around the Wicket, former Australian captain Michael Clarke shared his thoughts on the newly-introduced diktat for the centrally contracted Indian cricketers.

Clarke believes the policy could be a sensitive issue for some players who find it difficult to be away from home for extended periods.

The rule stipulates that players can only have their families with them for two weeks during a 45-day tour.

“The one I found hard, because throughout my career, we went both sides with players, wives, and partners only being allowed sometimes, not being allowed on other times, then being allowed the whole time," Clarke said.

“The balance was difficult. You got guys who were older, who were married with kids, you got guys that are single.”

Clarke expressed concerns about the difficulty in finding balance when it comes to family time, especially given the wide range of player circumstances.

“So, from the perspective of the team, if the partners are not allowed to come the whole time, is the single guy allowed to bring someone back to the hotel bar and have a drink with her? Where’s the balance? I don’t know how it is going to work. I just think it is a really touchy one because some people find it more difficult being away from home,” he remarked.

The new guidelines instruct contracted players to participate in domestic cricket when not on national duty. Clarke questioned why this requirement needed to be put in writing as he highlighted the cultural difference between India and Australia.

“It shows India’s culture is very different to Australia’s. Because a lot of those things in the Australian team are a no-brainer, are a given as part of being in that international setup,” Clarke said, referring to the Australian stars playing in domestic competitions like the Sheffield Shield or BBL.

“There are some other points there that I don’t know why it is even a conversation, I don’t know why it needs to be in writing,” he further stated.