The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering adjustments to its family stay policy if players want to bring their families and close friends with them on tour for extended periods.
The reports started floating around days after star batter Virat Kohli expressed his dissatisfaction with the policy, emphasizing the necessity of players spending time with their loved ones following high-intensity matches, particularly on international trips.
However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed the rumours on Wednesday (March 19), citing that the policy, along with the rest of the newly-formulated SOPs for the Indian team "will remain intact."
"At this stage, the current policy will remain intact, as it is of paramount importance to both the nation and our institution, the BCCI," Saikia told Cricbuzz.
The family rule, part of BCCI's 10-point diktat, was introduced in the wake of India’s dismal performance in Test cricket. The Rohit Sharma-led side suffered an embarrassing 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand last October, followed by a 1-3 thrashing in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Australian soil.
According to the family rule: “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.”
The SOPs were put into effect during the recently held ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, it left a few players disappointed, including Kohli.
During a recent RCB event in Bengaluru, Kohli questioned the logic behind the rule. "If you ask any player, do you want your family to be around you all the time? You'll be like, yes. I don't want to go to my room and just sit alone and sulk. I want to be able to be normal. And then you can really treat your game as something that is a responsibility. You finish that responsibility, and you come back to life," he said.
Saikia added that while there may be disagreement, it has been implemented in the best interest of the team.
"The BCCI recognizes that there may be some resentment or differing opinions, as in a democratic setup, people are entitled to express their views," Saikia said.
"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."
The BCCI secretary also mentioned that this policy was not introduced all of a sudden and that it was in place for the Indian team for ages.
"This policy has not been formulated overnight; it has been in place for decades, dating back to the playing days of our president, Roger Binny - and possibly even earlier," he said.
"The new policy is an amendment of the previous one, with additional provisions regarding players' presence at practice sessions, match schedules, tours, luggage, team movements, and other ancillary activities, all aimed at the objective of team cohesion and unity."
Saikia, however, kept options open regarding a modification in the rule going forward. "The BCCI has increased the duration of family members' stay with players during overseas tours, with provisions for relaxing the norms under special circumstances, but this will be done through a proper process," he said.
