The Indian cricket board has capped the time players can spend with their families on tour after a series of Test defeats, including a 3-1 drubbing in Australia this month.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday released new policies for the senior men’s team, detailing guidelines to “promote discipline, unity and a positive team environment”.
Under the new guidelines, families will be allowed to stay with players for up to two weeks during overseas tours of 45 days or more.
The guidelines, seen by AFP on Friday, also make participation in domestic cricket “compulsory for selection into the national team”.
Failure to comply could result in disciplinary action, including fines and a ban from participating in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL), Indian broadcaster NDTV reported.
The new rules follow strong criticism of the board, accused of allowing a “star culture” to flourish.
“The cricket board must stop acting like admirers and put its foot down,” retired Indian batting great Sunil Gavaskar told news channel India Today earlier this month after the tour in Australia.
Top players, including captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli, have not played in the domestic circuit for years.
Both have been criticized for failing to achieve victories in the recent bilateral series.
Rohit, who missed India’s only victory in Australia due to the birth of his second child, scored 31 runs in three matches.
Kohli scored a century but managed only 90 runs in his other eight innings.
The BCCI’s new rules prohibit players from traveling separately to and from matches and training sessions.
“Separate travel is discouraged in order to maintain team discipline and cohesion,” the board said, adding that all team members were “required to remain for the duration of scheduled training.” .
“This rule ensures commitment and promotes a strong work ethic within the team,” the board said.
India’s next Test tour is scheduled for June in England, where they will play five matches.
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