After Virat Kohli criticised the recent diktat issued by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and reports of a change in policy regarding restrictions issued on family members being around the players during overseas tours, there were reports that the Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) issued for players will see a change.
However, the BCCI has reacted to the development and Kohli’s comments and stated that there will be no change. The Indian cricket governing body’s secretary Devajit Saikia made it clear that the status quo will be maintained. Saikia also mentioned this is not a new policy and one that was in place for a long time in the past.
“At this stage, the current policy will remain intact, as it is of paramount importance to both the nation and our institution, the BCCI. “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.
“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 said.
However, the BCCI secretary claimed that exceptions can be made if players ask for permission in special cases.
“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,” Saikia added.
The top BCCI official’s remark comes days after Kohli spoke at length about the need for players to have family around them and claimed he was disappointed that people do not understand the importance.
“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. Like, there could be different situations happening in your life all the time. And that allows you to be absolutely normal.
