By Karan Agrawal 
BCCI has tightened its stance on the availability of players for domestic matches and with regards to other disciplinary issues like players deciding to travel separately and going to the hotel after they are done with their individual practice sessions. The board has given strict instructions to players to follow the guidelines or face the consequences “All players are expected to adhere strictly to the above guidelines. Any exceptions or deviations must be pre-approved by the Chairman of the Selection Committee and Head Coach. Non-compliance may lead to disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the BCCI,” says a document that is being circulated among media personnel.
The Action
The actions according to the document may include a ban from participating in all tournaments conducted by the BCCI. Other sanctions include “the BCCI reserves the right to take disciplinary action against a player which may include (i) sanction against the concerned player from participating in all BCCI conducted tournaments including the Indian Premier League; and (ii) deduction from retainer amount / match fees under the BCCI Player contract. This measure ensures accountability and reinforces the importance of adhering to established policies and prioritising Indian cricket.”
Valuing Domestic Cricket
The document clearly mentions the need for each and every contracted player to play domestic cricket. The decision is assumed to be taken in the wake of players prioritising IPL over domestic cricket. The document says “This policy ensures that players remain connected to the domestic cricket ecosystem, fostering talent development, maintaining match fitness, and strengthening the overall domestic structure.”
The Decision
Another interesting guideline states that personal staff, chiefs, and managers of players and support staff are restricted from accompanying them on tours. The statement in the document reads “Personal staff (e.g., personal managers, chefs, assistants and security) are to be restricted on tours or series unless explicitly approved by the BCCI. This ensures that the focus remains on team operations and minimizes logistical challenges. – this has to be done away with,” the new guideline states.
The Reason
A rather unusual guideline included in the document pertains to the need for players to stay in the team hotel throughout the match.”Players are required to stay with the team until the scheduled end of the match series or tour, regardless of whether matches conclude earlier than planned. This ensures unity, fosters team “the highest standards of professionalism and discipline within Team India. By fostering unity and ensuring operational efficiency, we can create an environment where players thrive and perform to their fullest potential.” bonding, and avoids disruption to team dynamics,” the policy document states.