To promote ‘discipline, unity, and positive team environment,’ Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has initiated the new 10-point diktat following the ICC Champions Trophy. Several changes were made after the ‘divided’ team environment emerged from the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Most of it came after head coach Gautam Gambhir. But as the dictate comes into effect, Gambhir took quite a hit.
According to the BCCI regulations, personal aides or even managers of support staff are prohibited from travelling with the senior players in team busses or even in the same hotel accommodating the players and support staff.
The personal assistant of Gambhir who used to stay glued to the India coach during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy now has to face the wrath of BCCI after the tour. The board was not ready for this to happen again during the Champions trophy in Dubai. It has come to light that the PA has been placed in a different hotel as compared to the one where the team stays.
“The personal secretary of a member of the coaching staff, who was regularly seen staying at the team hotel, now stays at a different facility even though he has been seen at every venue during the England home series,” a PTI report has claimed.
Gambhir was the only coach during the tour of Australia who had a personal assistant. This arrangement can now no longer be made by the coach, so much so that the board has officially put in place its new ruling.
“Why was his PA sitting in the car earmarked for national selectors? How can they discuss things in private with an unknown third person in the car? Why was he allotted space in the BCCI’s hospitality box in Adelaide?” an annoyed BCCI official had told the news agency after the Border-Gavaskar.
Such leaks in Indian dressing rooms began happening with great frequency over the past few months. There were also some ‘leaks’ that became public while they were in Australia. The board seems to be bent upon putting a stop to such leaks by barring entirely any unauthorised access.
“For what breakfast did he enjoy in a restricted area of a five-star facility which is earmarked specifically for members of the team?” asked the BCCI official.
The players will not be allowed to take family members, spouses, or partners with them on the tour for the Champions Trophy, thanks to the BCCI diktat. In the event of an exception being made, the player would have to pay all costs related to the travel of the family. Apparently no such measures were in place earlier.
The board has also put restrictions on personal chefs, hair stylists, and player agents.
