The BCCI’s decision to restrict the presence of family members on tours has stirred discussions among Indian cricketers. The concerns first emerged after India’s disappointing tour of Australia, leaving players anxious. Even captain Rohit Sharma inadvertently revealed the issue while announcing the squad for the Champions Trophy, saying, “I will have to sit down with the secretary to discuss a few things. About the family and other stuff.”
Under the new regulations, families are not permitted to accompany players on tours lasting less than 15 days. During the Champions Trophy, however, some family members, including Virat Kohli’s wife Anushka Sharma, were present to watch India’s matches against Pakistan, Australia, and New Zealand. While most players have refrained from commenting on the BCCI’s decision, Kohli did not hold back. He criticized the rule, emphasizing how family support becomes invaluable during challenging times. While teammates offer camaraderie, Kohli highlighted that the emotional backing of loved ones is irreplaceable.
Adding to the conversation, India’s iconic World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev shared his perspective. He advocated for a balanced approach that respects both the players’ personal well-being and their professional responsibilities.
“Well, I don’t know, that’s individual. I think it’s the cricket board’s call,” Kapil Dev said on the sidelines of the ‘Kapil Dev Grant Thornton Invitational’ event.
“My view is, yes, you need family. But you also need a team, all the time.”
Kapil, who led India to their historic first World Cup win in 1983, reminisced about his playing days, discussing how cricketers of his time navigated the balance between their professional responsibilities and personal lives.
“In our time, we used to say to ourselves – not by the cricket board – that the first half of the tour should be cricket, and in the second half, the family should come and enjoy it too. It should be a blend,” said Kapil.
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The Ongoing Debate
The family policy has sparked a divide within the Indian cricketing community, especially after Virat Kohli voiced his support for having family members on tours. Kohli highlighted how the presence of loved ones helps maintain emotional stability and a sense of normalcy amid the intense demands of international cricket.
During the recently concluded Champions Trophy, Kohli, along with teammates Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami, had their families accompany them to Dubai. However, they chose not to stay at the team hotel, covering their accommodation costs personally.
Kohli has openly emphasized the often-overlooked significance of family support, stressing its vital role in a player’s well-being.
“It is very difficult to explain to people how grounding it is to just come back to your family every time you have something intense, which happens on the outside,” he said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
“I do not think people have an understanding of what value it brings to a large extent. And I feel quite disappointed about that because it is like people who have no control over what is going on are kind of brought into conversations and put out at the forefront that, ‘oh, maybe they need to be kept away’,” Kohli added.
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