
The Board of Control for Cricket in India, BCCI, has come out with a 10-point guideline document to make the Indian cricket team more disciplined and united with a positive environment within the team. The BCCI made it clear that players who don’t adhere to these guidelines would face serious disciplinary actions, such as being barred from participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the cancellation of their central contracts.
The ‘Policy Document for Team India’

Advertisement
The new set of guidelines, titled *Policy Document for Team India, was sent to all players on Thursday. This document comes after a review meeting held last week following India’s disappointing performances in the New Zealand series and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Key figures in Indian cricket, including head coach Gautam Gambhir, Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, and BCCI’s newly appointed secretary Devjit Saikia, participated in this crucial meeting to discuss the team’s future and the need for greater discipline.
Key Guidelines to Ensure Discipline and Unity
1. No Separate Travel for Players
One of the key points discussed in the meeting is travel discipline. The BCCI was worried that some players were traveling separately for matches or training, which was breaking the team’s cohesion. From now on, players are expected to travel with the team on the designated team bus unless there are exceptional circumstances. Any player wishing to travel separately must seek prior permission from the head coach or the chief selector.
Moreover, there is a constraint that players need to stay with the team during the practice sessions, even if the individual training finishes earlier. This is important in keeping the cohesion of the team intact and ensuring all players are kept busy with collective goals.
2. Limited Family Time on Long Tours
The BCCI also came up with rules on family members traveling with players during long tours, which were quite common these days after the pandemic. Though the BCCI permitted the families to travel alone, they felt it might distract the players from their game. In response to this, new rules have been put forward:
– Players can carry their family members (partners and children less than 18 years) on tours of 45 days and above, but for only 14 days.
– Players have to bear the costs for their families’ stay and other expenses.
– Family members are allowed with the player for a single visit in the entire tour, and it has to be approved by the coach, captain, and BCCI General Manager Operations.
In case the family stays for more than the allowed period, the player will have to bear the extra expenses. This policy is aimed at keeping the focus on cricket while ensuring that the players maintain discipline and a professional approach.
3. Restriction on Personal Staff
Another major regulation is the cap on the number of personal staff a player is allowed to carry along with them during tours. According to the BCCI, the number of personal staff such as managers, chefs, assistants, social media teams, and security personnel a player can carry has to be restricted to ease the logistical hassles. It is also a step in keeping players away from distractions caused by personal commitments while being focused on their cricketing commitments.
Moreover, players are not encouraged to take part in personal shoots or other non-cricket-related activities during series or tours. BCCI emphasizes that cricket and team responsibilities should be the main emphasis.
4. Forcing Participation in Domestic Cricket
The BCCI has now clearly stated that participation in domestic cricket is mandatory for all contracted players. According to the board, it is important for the players to remain active in domestic competitions to keep themselves in form and help strengthen Indian cricket’s grassroots level. Players who don’t make themselves available for domestic cricket will be considered ineligible for international selection and may even lose their central contracts.
This rule is exempted only in “unavoidable circumstances,” and prior approval must be sought from the selection committee before a player acts.
Disciplinary Action for Non-Compliance

The BCCI stated that violation of the newly designed guidelines would mean severe disciplinary actions, and punishment includes debarment from participation in the IPL cancellation of their central contract, and reducing match fee amount. These restrictions are in line with a promise to inculcate discipline, make accountability prominent, and then retain prominence in Indian cricket.
Strengthening Indian Cricket’s Future

This 10-point guideline document from the BCCI marks a new era of accountability and discipline within Team India. In this regard, the board will ensure that its players are properly committed to their roles as professionals, which would be essential to maintaining the integrity and success of Indian cricket on the world stage.
The BCCI, by enforcing these rules, is not only trying to improve the unity of the teams but also creating a positive and focused environment for the players, which will eventually lead to better performances and a stronger cricketing future for India.
ALSO READ: Kieron Pollard Goes Big In International T20 League