The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced stringent guidelines for centrally contracted players to promote discipline, unity, and a positive team environment. These measures come in the wake of India’s disappointing 1-3 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

One notable directive mandates that all players selected for a series or tour must stay in the same hotel as their teammates. This decision ends the practice of players staying in separate accommodations with their families during tours, which had reportedly become common.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan questioned the previous lack of enforcement on this issue. “Even the greatest players in the past stayed in the same hotels as the rest of the Indian team. How was staying in a separate hotel allowed in the first place?” Pathan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). When a user implied he was referring to Virat Kohli, Pathan clarified, “Nah, I’m not talking about Virat.”

Additional Guidelines

The BCCI has also emphasized adherence to practice schedules, stating that players must not leave practice sessions early, even after completing their individual routines. Participation in domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy is now mandatory for national team selection.

These guidelines have prompted players such as Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant to make themselves available for the upcoming Ranji Trophy. However, the participation status of senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and KL Rahul remains unclear.

Other rules cover family travel, baggage allowances, and restrictions on personal staff. Players seeking exceptions must secure prior approval from head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

Consequences for Non-Compliance

The BCCI has warned of strict disciplinary action for any violations, including potential bans from participating in tournaments under its jurisdiction, such as the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The changes follow heavy criticism of the team’s performance in Australia, where both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli underperformed, contributing significantly to India’s first Border-Gavaskar Trophy series loss in a decade.

With these measures, the BCCI aims to ensure a more focused and cohesive team culture, setting higher standards for professional conduct and performance.