The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering revising its policy on players’ families accompanying them on overseas tours, following strong criticism from senior batter Virat Kohli, sources told India Today.
Under the current policy, partners and children of players are allowed to stay for only two weeks during tours exceeding 45 days, with additional expenses borne by the players themselves.
The rules were reinstated earlier this year after a review meeting led by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma, following India’s 1-3 Test series loss in Australia.
A top BCCI official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the board may now allow players to apply for extended family stays with prior approval.
"Players can apply for permission if they want their families to stay longer on tours. The BCCI will make a decision as it sees fit," the official stated.
Kohli’s stance on family restrictions
The development comes in the wake of Kohli’s recent remarks criticizing the policy. Speaking at a promotional event ahead of IPL 2025, Kohli emphasized the importance of family presence in maintaining players’ mental well-being.
"If you ask any player, do you want your family to be around you all the time? You'll say, yes. I don't want to go to my room and just sit alone and sulk. I want to be able to be normal. And then you can really treat your game as something that is a responsibility. You finish that responsibility, and you come back to life," Kohli said.
Support from cricketing fraternity
Former India captain Kapil Dev also weighed in on the debate, supporting Kohli’s stance while advocating a balanced approach.
"I think that’s the cricket board’s call. Mine is, yes, you need a family, but yes, you need a team also all the time. In our time, we used to say to ourselves—not by the cricket board—that in the first half, let me play cricket. In the second half, the families should come there and enjoy too. It should be a blend," Kapil told reporters on Tuesday.
During India’s Champions Trophy campaign in the UAE earlier this year, players, including Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma, were seen celebrating the team’s victory with their families, highlighting the role of emotional support during high-stakes tournaments.
