Fallout of dismal Australian tour: BCCI mulling imposing strict rules to instill discipline

In response to the Indian cricket team’s disappointing performance during their recent tour of Australia, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is introducing new measures aimed at enhancing team discipline and cohesion. Reports suggest that players will now face restrictions on family time during extended tours and stricter regulations regarding travel and luggage.

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Under the new guidelines, players’ families will only be permitted to travel with them for up to two weeks on tours lasting more than 45 days. For shorter tours, this duration will be reduced to one week. These changes follow the Indian team’s 1-3 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which was further overshadowed by internal controversies regarding team morale and player behavior.

Notably, key players like Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah traveled with their families between cities, while other team members adhered to collective travel arrangements. Tensions within the squad were also evident, with controversies such as Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement and concerns over team selections surfacing.

As part of the new regulations, the BCCI has mandated that all players travel together on team buses and will no longer cover charges for excess luggage. Additionally, Gautam Gambhir’s personal manager will be prohibited from traveling with the team or using the VIP box and must stay at a separate hotel. These steps aim to reinforce discipline and unity within the team moving forward.