Kohli urges BCCI to allow wives to stay for full-tours
What's the story
Indian skipper Virat Kohli has urged the BCCI to change its rule regarding the stay of wives for overseas tours. The present ruling allows the wives of players to stay for just two weeks. It was implemented during the tour of England this year. But Kohli wants to see a change in the same with India touring Australia, later this year.
Kohli
Kohli approached BCCI official regarding the issue
According to a report in The Indian Express, the 29-year-old skipper feels that wives of players should be allowed to accompany them for the entirety of the tour. This has been a topic of discussion since quite sometime on whether wives should be allowed or not. Kohli approached a top BCCI official and was assured that his message will be conveyed to the CoA.
CoA
CoA open to evaluate Kohli's request
The report adds that the CoA has conveyed a message to the Indian team manager, Sunil Subramaniam, to make a formal request in order to change the existing rule. But it won't be done any time soon. The reason for the timing issue is that the CoA wants to implement the same when a new governing body is in place.
Anushka
Anushka had created a storm in UK recently
Kohli's wife Anushka Sharma has been travelling with him for overseas tours and was seen in England. She created a storm on social media after being the only wife of a player present at the event hosted at the UK High Commission. But a BCCI official had clarified that other players decided not to get their partners.
Tours
Limit on wives and girlfriends implemented by several nations
There has been a restriction on partners traveling with cricketers in world cricket in recent times. Many nations have restricted family time. In 2007, the England and Wales Cricket Board had asked an independent sports administrator to issue a report on the Ashes disaster. The report suggested limit on time of wives and girlfriends on tours. The report didn't go well with the players.
Australia
In 2015, Warner's wife batted for importance of families
Things didn't go well with Australia too with former wicket-keeper Ian Healy blaming wives and girlfriends of players for the side's dismal 2015 Ashes. That had seen David Warner's wife Candice state the importance of families. She claimed that many cricketers would be very unhappy if their kids and their partners weren't on tours as many things happen behind the scenes.
Personal
Our take: Partners should be allowed for tours
Partners accompanying cricketers shouldn't be blamed if a tour goes wrong with performances hampered. Since many overseas tours are long, cricketers should be given the benefit of having their wives or girlfriends with them.