BCCI comes up with ten-point policy, severe sanctions if not followed

Sanctions, IPL Ban And…’: BCCI Big Warning Regarding ’10-Point Diktat’ For Indian Cricket Team Stars

Rattled by the senior men’s team’s humiliating debacle in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, the BCCI has put in place a new policy for senior cricketers.

CHENNAI: If a BCCI document in circulation is to be believed, players falling foul of a new ten-point guideline could face sanctions, including being banned from the cash-rich Indian Premier League. The document also indicate that the chief selector and the head coach will have a say in making any exception requested by a player. Some of the guidelines have already been covered extensively in this daily as well. These include being available to play domestic cricket to be eligible to play for India, restrictions on travelling with family, having personal staff on tour and so on.

“All players are expected to adhere strictly to the above guidelines,” the document states. “Any exceptions or deviations must be pre-approved by the Chairman of the Selection Committee and Head Coach. Non-compliance may lead to disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the BCCI. Additionally, the BCCI reserves the right to take disciplinary action against a player which may include (i) sanction against the concerned player from participating in all BCCI conducted tournaments including the Indian Premier League; and (ii) deduction from retainer amount / match fees under BCCI Player contract. This measure ensures accountability and reinforces the importance of adhering to established policies and prioritising Indian cricket.”

This comes days after the review meeting in Mumbai to discuss the 3-1 defeat against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The meeting was attended by the BCCI officials, captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir among others. The document, also accessed by this daily, says that its objective is to establish guidelines that promote discipline, unity, and a positive team environment while ensuring professional standards and operational efficiency during tours and series. These policy guidelines are likely to be implemented from the upcoming England series.

According to the document, playing domestic cricket has been made mandatory to remain eligible for selection and exceptions will be made “only under extraordinary circumstances and will require formal notification and approval from the Chairman of the Selection Committee, ensuring fairness and transparency in the process.”

The document also reiterates that separate travel arrangements with families are discouraged to maintain discipline and an approval is required for exception. Similarly, restrictions are put in place for individual staff and personal staff on tour “unless explicitly approved by the BCCI”. There are also guidelines on baggage limit, sending personal items to Centre of Excellence, staying for the entire duration of a training session and travelling with the team to and from the venue. Similarly, players are required to stay with the team under the scheduled end of a match, series or tour in case the match ends earlier.

The much-discussed family travel policy is also mentioned with the players allowed one visit per series (overseas) from their partners and children for a duration of two weeks. “The BCCI will cover shared accommodation with the player for the Visitors’ Period. All other expenses are to be borne by the player. Visits must be scheduled at a single time during dates agreed upon by the Coach, Captain, and GM Operations. Any deviation from this policy must be pre-approved by the Coach, Captain and GM Operations. Additional expenses outside the visitors’ period will not be covered by the BCCI,” the document read.

Important points to keep in mind

• All players who want to play for India should be available to play domestic games. Exceptions to be granted only extraordinary circumstances
• Players cannot travel with family to and from matches and training sessions. Exceptions to be pre-approved by coach and chair of selection committee
• Players cannot engage in personal shoots or endorsements during a series. No exceptions
• If players are found guilty of non compliance, action against a player may include (i) sanction against the concerned player from
• participating in all BCCI conducted tournaments including the Indian Premier League; and (ii) deduction from retainer amount / match fees under BCCI Player contract.

Rattled by the senior men’s team’s humiliating debacle in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has put in place a new policy for senior cricketers and made it mandatory for all to adhere to it. Apart from the restrictions on the wives and girlfriends accompanying the players on lengthy tours, the BCCI’s new policy also bars players from engaging in personal shoots or endorsements during ongoing series or tours. Henceforth, the players will also be discouraged from leaving practice sessions early. Participation in BCCI’s official shoots and functions will be mandatory for the players.

The BCCI announced restrictions on personal staff and the presence of players’ families on tours in the new policy to promote discipline and unity in the team. On a tour of 45 days or more, families will be allowed to accompany the players for only two weeks.

The BCCI has also made playing domestic matches mandatory for players to be considered for selection in national teams or central contracts.

“This policy ensures that players remain connected to the domestic cricket ecosystem, fostering talent development, maintaining match fitness, and strengthening the overall domestic structure. It also inspires emerging players by providing them opportunities to compete alongside top cricketers, ensuring continuity in talent progression,” the BCCI policy document read.

“Any exceptions to this mandate will be considered only under extraordinary circumstances and will require formal notification and approval from the Chairman of the Selection Committee, ensuring fairness and transparency in the process,” it said.

In the duration when the families are with the players or on a tour, the players will travel together and not with their families.

“All players are expected to travel with the team to and from matches and practice sessions. Separate travel arrangements with families are discouraged to maintain discipline and team cohesion. Exceptions, if any, must be pre-approved by the Head Coach and Chairman of the Selection Committee,” the document said.

While putting restrictions on the players from taking excess baggage with them, the BCCI policy also puts restrictions on the use of individual staff on tours. “Personal staff (e.g., personal managers, chefs, assistants, and security) are to be restricted on tours or series unless explicitly approved by the BCCI. This ensures that the focus remains on team operations and minimizes logistical challenges. – this has to be done away with,” the BCCI decided.

The BCCI will also discourage the practice of players leaving training sessions early. They will also not be allowed to leave tours or series midway unless it is necessary.

“All players are required to stay for the entire duration of scheduled practice sessions and travel together to and from the venue. This rule ensures commitment and fosters a strong work ethic within the team,” read the document.

The players’ partners and children (under 18) will be allowed one visit of up to two weeks per series in case the players are absent from India for more than 45 days.

The BCCI will cover shared accommodation with the player for the Visitors’ Period whereas all other expenses are to be borne by the player concerned.

The policy document also made it clear that the players are required to stay with the team until the scheduled end of the match series or tour, regardless of whether matches conclude earlier than planned. This ensures unity, fosters team bonding, and avoids disruption to the team dynamics.

With Thanks and Reference to:https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/sanctions-ipl-ban-and-bccis-big-warning-regarding-10-point-diktat-for-indian-cricket-team-stars-7490760 and https://www.msn.com/en-in/sports/cricket/bcci-comes-up-with-ten-point-policy-severe-sanctions-if-not-followed/ar-AA1xkekX