Cracking the whip on the Indian cricket team's "star culture", the BCCI on Thursday unveiled a 10-point policy to promote "discipline and unity", making domestic cricket mandatory, imposing restrictions on the presence of family and personal staff on tours and banning separate commercial endorsements during the ongoing series. It is learnt that head coach Gautam Gambhir sought the restrictions during a review meeting of the team's recent poor run. Non-compliance will invite sanctions including a reduction in players' retainer fees from central contracts and a bar on their participation in the cash-rich Indian Premier League
The move comes in the wake of the team's disastrous tour of Australia, where it surrendered the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade. The defeat came before a series whitewash against a relatively underpowered New Zealand at home.
The 10 directives make it mandatory for players to seek approval from Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar for any relaxation, including the duration of their family's stay on tour.
The board has also imposed restrictions on personal staff, as well as allowing only a two-week window for families to accompany players on overseas tours of more than 45 days and commercial shootings.
Looking at things, the BCCI seems to have fully supported Gambhir's position in the review meeting held last weekend.
Terming the measures as a way to “ensure professional standards and operational efficiency during the tour and series”, the policy, which is in the possession of the PTI, could be a landmark document.
"Any exceptions or deviations must be pre-approved by the Chairman of the Selection Committee and the Head Coach. Non-compliance may lead to disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the BCCI," the board warned.
"Furthermore, the BCCI reserves the right to take disciplinary action against a player which may include a ban on the player concerned from participating in all tournaments conducted by the BCCI, including deduction of the retainer amount/match fee from the Indian Premier League under the BCCI player contract."
Participation in domestic matches
The board said it is mandatory for players to be available for domestic matches.
"This policy ensures that players remain connected to the domestic cricket ecosystem, encourages talent development, maintains match fitness and strengthens the overall domestic structure," the BCCI said, adding that any exception to this order would require formal notification and approval from Agarkar.
The reason behind this directive is the absence of stars from the Ranji series. Virat Kohli has not played a Ranji Trophy match since 2012, a year before Sachin Tendulkar played his last Ranji match in 2013.
Disgraced captain Rohit Sharma last played Ranji in 2015.
Players are traveling separately with their families.
Players will be expected to travel with the team to and from matches and practice sessions.
The BCCI said that separate travel arrangements with families are being discouraged to maintain "discipline and team cohesion".
Exceptions, if any, must be pre-approved by Gambhir and Agarkar.
This after a superstar player travelled separately on tour, including during a South Africa assignment last year.
Two big stars, during a recent tour of Australia, refused to travel with the team and one of them hired a charter flight to travel from one city to another in Australia.
Excess baggage limit
Players will now have to adhere to a specific baggage allowance shared with the team. Any additional baggage costs will need to be borne by the individual. The baggage weight limit for long trips has been set at 150 kg.
This became necessary after players, who were traveling with their families, included the bags of their partners, children and personal staff in their accounts.
Restrictions on personal staff on tours/series
Personal staff including managers, chefs, assistants and security should be restricted on tours or series unless expressly approved by the BCCI.
It started when Gautam Gambhir's personal manager raised eyebrows over his presence at the team hotel.
While Gambhir has agreed to keep his secretary at bay, he has confirmed that chefs of certain young star players will not be allowed into the set-up easily either.
Bags are being sent separately to the Center of Excellence
Players have been asked to coordinate with team management on equipment and personal items being sent to the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
“Any additional costs due to separate arrangements will be the responsibility of the player.” Some senior players have been known to send their equipment or kit before they arrive at the NCA for rehabilitation and most of them have gained notoriety for not paying for additional costs.
Leaving practice sessions early
All players will be required to stay for the full duration of the scheduled practice session and will be required to travel to and from the venue together to promote “commitment” and “instill a strong work ethic within the team.” The move will ensure that star players, who have become accustomed to a separate vehicle to leave the net at their whim, will be required to stay for the full duration.
In addition, the board has prohibited players from engaging in personal shooting or endorsements during an ongoing series or tour to avoid “distractions” and has allowed families to join them on overseas tours for up to 45 days.
The last two points of the document make it mandatory for players to be available for official board shoots and functions, even if the match or series ends before it starts.
English 
বাংলা