Champions Trophy: Indian players to travel without wives or partners
What's the story
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced a new rule, banning the families of Indian cricketers from traveling with them on short overseas tours.
The rule will come into effect during the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The policy was introduced after India's disappointing 3-1 series loss in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Policy specifics
BCCI's new policy details and its implications
The BCCI's new policy also doesn't allow families to travel with the team on tours shorter than 45 days.
On longer tours, families can join for a two-week period every 45 days.
The Champions Trophy will begin on February 19, with India's first match against Bangladesh the next day.
All of India's matches will be played in the UAE under a hybrid model agreed upon by the cricket boards.
Official confirmation
BCCI official confirms policy enforcement for Champions Trophy
A BCCI official confirmed to PTI that players are unlikely to be accompanied by their wives or partners for this tour.
The official said, "One of the senior players had enquired about it and he was told that the policy decision will be followed."
He further clarified that any exceptions would require the individual to bear all expenses as BCCI won't cover any costs.
Policy leak
BCCI's leaked policy document reveals more details
The leaked BCCI policy document states that players who are away from India for more than 45 days during overseas tours can be accompanied by their partners and children (under 18) for one visit per series (format wise) of up to two weeks.
Any deviation from this policy has to be pre-approved by the coach, captain and GM Operations.
Additional expenses outside the visitors' period won't be covered by the BCCI.
England tour
Families to join team during England tour post IPL 2025
Despite the new policy, families will be allowed to join the team during the five-Test tour of England in June-July-August post IPL 2025 season.
The exact dates for their two-week stay will be decided closer to the tour.
This exception is in line with BCCI's policy of allowing family visits on tours longer than 45 days.
Rule enforcement
BCCI enforces other rules from new policy
The BCCI official also disclosed that most other rules mentioned in the policy, such as mandatory participation in domestic cricket and team traveling together for matches, have already been implemented.
He said, "If you look at it, already no player can ask for a private vehicle to come for practice. All state units have been notified."
The team has traveled together since the players assembled in Kolkata and Nagpur for the T20I and ODI series against England.
Staff restrictions
BCCI plans to hire chefs, restricts personal staff travel
The BCCI has also restricted the travel of personal chefs and secretaries for players, and is now looking to hire a few chefs to cater to the dietary needs of certain players.
Restrictions have also been imposed on personal staff (managers, agents, chefs), who were accompanying the team and coaching group earlier.
The new rules were drafted after India's disappointing tour of Australia during which the team was outplayed 1-3.