As a little encouragement for Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and the other stars of the Indian cricket team, the BCCI has apparently thrown in the added benefit of allowing Team members’ families to accompany them during the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai. This decision, being a respite for the players, had denied the company of players’ family members altogether after the board’s issuance of a 10-point diktat changing certain rules after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy fiasco.
As reported by Dainik Jagran, while BCCI has extended its permission to the wives and family members of the players to accompany them in Dubai, a hard and fast rule has been laid down. Family members will be permitted to accompany the players only for one match. Which match the players will go for depends on them, as they can discuss among themselves and send a request to the BCCI, which will make arrangements accordingly.
Earlier, out of the diktats, Board approved a stay for two weeks of family members with the players for overseas tours above 45 days only, besides imposing restrictions upon players’ personal staff and work contracts.
For the shorter duration like Champions Trophy, family members weren’t originally allowed. However, considering the nature of the event, the board allowed to have family accompany each player for one game. There are no details yet on which game the players have sought the board’s permission to accompany their family.
The new rule says the BCCI wants to “ensure professional standards and operational efficiency during tours and series.” The policy on family members is run by PTI.
The BCCI has sent a warning: “Any deviation from this must be pre-approved by the Chairman of the Selection Committee and Head Coach. Non-conformity in this regard would be a cause for disciplinary action at the discretion of the BCCI.”
The BCCI remarked, “BCCI in any event shall reserve its right of taking disciplinary actions against a player, which may include sanction against concerned players from participating in all tournaments conducted by BCCI, including the Indian Premier League, and deductions from match fees and retainer amounts under the BCCI Player Contract.”
India will meet Bangladesh in its first match on February 20. Thereafter, the team will play against Pakistan on February 23 and New Zealand on March 2.
