BCCI talks tough

Indian cricketers, particularly the male of the species, are a pampered lot. Big bucks and adulation come their way, whether they are playing matches around the world or endorsing products ranging from life insurance policies to American pistachios. They are as popular as Indian film stars, if not more. In recent years, they have performed pretty well in all three formats of the game, winning the T20 World Cup in 2024 and reaching the final of the ODI World Cup as well as the World Test Championship in 2023. However, stunning back-to-back losses in Test series against New Zealand and Australia have hit the team where it hurts. The knives are out, and the brickbats have started outnumbering the bouquets.

Signalling that enough is enough, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued strict guidelines for the senior men’s squad. The measures are apparently aimed at enhancing discipline, streamlining logistics and promoting team unity during domestic and international tours. The players are now expected to travel with the team for all matches and practice sessions; what’s more, they have to adhere to stringent baggage norms. There is also a family travel policy, which will ostensibly “ensure a balance between players’ wellbeing and team commitments”; actually, it is meant to minimise distractions for cricketers on foreign tours. Perhaps the BCCI has taken a cue from the L&T Chairman’s provocative question: “How long can you stare at your wife?”

It is obvious that the team’s no-nonsense head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has a lot to do with these restrictions. The board has also made it mandatory for players to participate in domestic matches to remain eligible for selection in the national team and for central contracts. Non-compliance or defiance could force players to miss the IPL, Indian cricket’s biggest cash cow. Overall, this is a bold experiment worth trying to draw cricketers out of their comfort zone. How they cope with the changes will matter a lot.