By Prachi Mishra
The Board Of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a 10 point diktat for the Indian team to comply with, on 16th January. The substantial changes made in the regulatory framework is the participation of all players in the domestic cricket matches for selection in the National team. The control board also declared a heap of limitations, which also includes restriction on families and personal staff to stay with the players only for two weeks, during the ongoing matches.
The decision comes directly after the Indian Men’s Team defeat in the Border Gavaskar Test (BGT) series against Australia, where the men in blue put up an unsatisfactory display of performance and lost the bilateral test series 1-3. Prior to this, the team also saw humiliating defeat at the hands of the Kiwis, where the New Zealand team swept them 3-0 in Test series, that too on Indian soil, which is in home games. Moreover, these losses shattered the boastful records India had. It lost the BGT series after 10 straight years. It lost a home test series match after 12 years and a complete whitewash after 24 years.
The idea behind these new set of rules is to harbour discipline and encourage unity in the team. The players are now asked to travel together as a team for their matches and practise sessions. Furthermore, the measures also strictly advise the players to not undertake brand endorsements and personal shoots, amidst an ongoing series or tour. The players now can not leave the series early, even if the matches concluded well-in-advance.
The restrictions levied are to impose a positive atmosphere in the dressing room and operate professionally and efficiently during the series or tours. The board advised the players to take permission from the Head Coach and the Chairman of the Selection Committee, i.e., Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar, in case they want any exceptions made for them. Without pre-approval if the policies are not adhered to the players would face strict repercussions which may range from their sanction to participation in all BCCI organized tournaments that also include the IPL to deduction in their annual contracts.