BCCI Responds to Rethinking ‘Family Rule’ After Virat Kohli’s Criticism

BCCI Responds to Rethinking ‘Family Rule’: Virat Kohli's bitter remarks against BCCI's policy on families traveling with Indian players on overseas tours have fueled stories that the Indian board may rethink the policy. However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia crushed those rumors on Wednesday, confirming that the policy will "remain intact" along with the newly-formulated SOPs applicable to the Indian team.

"At this stage, the current policy will remain intact, as it is of paramount importance to both the nation and our institution, the BCCI," Saikia told Cricbuzz.

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The family rule is one among the 10 rules laid out by BCCI in the wake of India's poor test cricket results. The Rohit Sharma-led Indian team had already lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, having been beaten black and blue by New Zealand last October in an unprecedented home whitewash. According to the family rule: “Players absent from India for more than 45 days during overseas tours can be joined by their partners and children (under 18) for one visit per series (format wise) of up to a two-week period.”

These SOPs came into place during the Champions Trophy, but did not go down too well with a few players. Former India captain Kohli was one who had probed the rationale for this rule during a recent RCB event held in Bengaluru.

"If you ask any player, do you want your family to be around you all the time? You'll be like, yes. I don't want to go to my room and just sit alone and sulk. 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," he said.

'There may be some resentment...'

Saikia stoutly argued that resentment might come from players; but this uniformly applies to the Indian team, including support staff as well.

"The BCCI recognizes that there may be some resentment or differing opinions, as in a democratic setup, people are entitled to express their views," Saikia said. "The policy is applied uniformly to all team members - players, coaches, managers, support staff, and everyone involved - and has been implemented with the best interests of everyone in mind."

Further, BCCI secretary reminds that the policy was not introduced out of blue rather it has been within the Indian team's provision since ages.

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"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," he said.

"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."

But Saikia kept the door open for discussion on change of the rule in future.

"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," he said.

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