Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on Friday asserted that the BCCI’s 10-point policy for its centrally-contracted players has actually been in place since his playing days and wanted to know when was it “altered” and by whom. Terming the guidelines “fresh documentation”, Harbhajan Singh said the move diverts attention from the team’s forgettable on-field performance against New Zealand and Australia recently.
Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has questioned the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) recently revised 10-point policy for centrally-contracted players. The policy was discussed after India’s defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, during a review meeting with head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Rohit Sharma, and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.
BCCI Cracks Whip, Issues Strict Guidelines On Do’s And Don’ts For Team India Players post BGT 2024-25 debacle
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a set of 10 guidelines for centrally contracted players following a recent review meeting that analyzed India’s disappointing performance in Australia, Indian Express reported.
Among the key mandates, players must now participate in domestic tournaments to remain eligible for selection. Additionally, new restrictions have been introduced concerning family travel, personal staff, ad shoots, and early departures from tours.
The BCCI has emphasized strict adherence to these rules, warning that non-compliance could result in disciplinary action, including bans from board-conducted tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and deductions in annual contracts and match fees. Any exceptions must receive prior approval from the head coach and the chief selector.
This policy shift comes in response to concerns over team cohesion and discipline, particularly after India’s 3-1 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The review meeting, attended by BCCI officials, captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, examined various aspects beyond player performance, including team atmosphere and commitment levels.
A significant directive reinforces the importance of domestic cricket participation. This marks the second time in a year that the BCCI has mandated players to feature in domestic tournaments.
Despite previous advisories, senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja skipped the Duleep Trophy ahead of the Test season. However, following the latest review, players such as Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill have committed to playing Ranji Trophy matches, while the participation of other senior players remains uncertain.
The BCCI has also restricted personal staff like chefs, security personnel, and stylists from accompanying players on tours. Additionally, all players must now travel exclusively on team buses, even when family members are present.
The board has reinstated its pre-Covid family travel policy, allowing players’ families to join them for only 14 days on tours exceeding 45 days. Furthermore, practice sessions are now mandatory, ending the practice of optional training.
New commercial restrictions have also been imposed, prohibiting players from attending ad shoots and endorsement events during ongoing series. Additionally, players must stay with the team until the tour officially concludes, preventing early departures. However, the acceptance of these guidelines among players remains to be seen.
The BCCI has implemented a strict 10-point regulation aimed at maintaining professional standards and improving operational efficiency during team tours and series in response to India’s recent losses to Australia, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. Reducing the amount of time players can spend with their spouses, partners, and family members and requiring them to travel only with the team are two significant regulation changes.
Following the most recent series’ 3-1 loss to Australia, many people expected the BCCI to take decisive action. Harbhajan Singh, a former spin hero, has noted that improving the team’s on-field performance should take precedence over implementing stringent off-field rules.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh reacts to BCCI’s guidelines for players post BGT 2024-25 debacle
Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh reckons that the BCCI is deviating from the main issue by bringing out a policy guideline for players. Stating that most of the points mentioned in the new rulebook existed during his playing days as well, he opined that the main concern is about India playing poor cricket in recent times.
After suffering a 3-0 whitewash at home against New Zealand, India were crushed 3-1 in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. In the wake of the poor results, the BCCI recently issued a 10-point policy guideline for players. The stringent rules include mandatory participation in domestic cricket and restriction on family members and personal staff on tour.
Speaking to news agency PTI, Harbhajan Singh said that he found nothing much that was new in the revised guidelines. Stating that similar rules existed during his playing days as well, the former off-spinner questioned who altered the policies.
“When I was reading the travel policy document reported by the media, I hardly found anything new from the last time I represented India as a centrally-contracted cricketer,” he said, as quoted by The Indian Express.
“At least nine out of 10 points, including duration of family visits, staying in same hotel, practice timings, all are same. My question is if these rules were in place during my time, who all have altered it and when? That should be probed,” the 44-year-old added.
The former India off-spinner opined that instead of issuing guidelines, the BCCI must go for course corrections. Harbhajan pointed out to the poor form of players both in home and away conditions and said:
“Hum log mudde se bhatak rahein hain (We are deviating from the main issue). We didn’t lose 1-3 because wives and partners were there for two months. We didn’t lose because someone travelled separately. We lost because we have played very poor cricket at times. We didn’t bat well even at home. We have players who are horribly out of form. What are the course corrections being made? Or is it just these off-the-field things being discussed?”
While issuing the policy guidelines, the BCCI has reportedly warned players that they could face strict disciplinary action for not following rules, which could include being banned from the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well.
Harbhajan Singh on BCCI’s guidelines for players
While sharing further thoughts on BCCI’s revised rules for Indian cricketers, Harbhajan Singh agreed that some of the points needed to be reinforced since it seems that they were being flouted. Speaking about his own playing days, he stated:
“I think some of the points needed to be revisited because they were being flouted. Like in our times, I never saw a Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid or Anil Kumble leave for Mumbai, Kolkata or Bengaluru just because the match has ended in three days and next game is a week away. They all stayed and travelled to next destination.”
“Only change I see (in the new rulebook) is 150 kg suitcase allowance. Back in the day, we used to have lesser,” the former cricketer concluded.
India’s next assignment in international cricket will be a white-ball series against England at home, which includes five T20Is and three ODIs. They will then feature in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.