Last Updated:
The BCCI is said to have issued guidelines to the Indian players breaching which could result in salary cuts and ban from its tournaments.
Indian players during a warm-up session ahead of the first T20 against England in Kolkata. (PTI Photo)
BCCI is said to have introduced guidelines to restore “discipline” and “unity” in the Indian cricket team that include limited family and personal staff presence during tours, mandatory participation in domestic cricket, excess baggage limit, traveling with the team during tours, not leaving practice sessions early among others. Australia legend Ian Healy feels it’s “extraordinary” that the BCCI allowed the so called “star culture” to continue for so long.
“The reshaping of Indian cricket. A strict, strong response from Indian cricket authorities basically admitting they have let discipline of their national team slip badly,” Healy told SEN Radio on Tuesday.
“It made for extraordinary reading that the following issues could go unapproved for so long,” he added.
Healy, who played 119 Tests and 168 ODIs from 1988 to 1999, feels that the other cricket boards must take a lesson from India.
“Maybe administrators and players have disrespected the dream of representing a powerhouse of the sport. Australia – plus other countries – be aware as to how far things can get off the rails without noticing the effects. Stay vigilant. Take all that into the contest,” Healy said.
As per news agency PTI, the restrictions have been put into place after a few members of the Indian team travelled separately with their family during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Additionally, a few senior Indian players have been ferried from team hotels to the venue in personal vehicles in the past.
The board has also barred personal managers/assistants of players and support staff members from staying in the team hotel as well.
India chief of selectors Ajit Agarkar recently addressed the alleged diktat saying they are just rules that every team has in place and shouldn’t be looked at as punishment.
“I suppose every team has some rules in place. We’ve spoken about various things you see over the last few months where you can improve as a team, where you can get a bit closer as a team. It’s not a school. It’s not a punishment,” Agarkar told media in Mumbai.
