ICC Champions Trophy: BCCI’s U-turn? Players can bring their families, but ‘conditions apply’

Weeks after the BCCI brought in a 10-point diktat to promote “discipline and unity” in the team post India’s disappointing performances against New Zealand and Australia, it is learnt that the Board has allowed the cricketers to bring over their families to Dubai for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

As per the policy, which was introduced last month, only a two-week window was allowed for families to stay with the players during overseas tours that exceed 45 days.

However, it has now come to light that the BCCI has allowed the families of the players to be present for any one game of the tournament. It has been left to the players to decide which game they choose, said a report in Dainik Jagran. Prior permission must be sought from the Board accordingly.

ALSO READ: Crackdown on 'star culture': Salary cut, IPL bar... BCCI backs coach Gautam Gambhir's 10-point diktat

India are in Group A with Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand. They will take on Bangladesh on February 20 in the opener, followed by the high-stakes clash against the hosts on February 23, and round up the group stage with the match against the Kiwis on March 2. All the matches will be played at the Dubai International Stadium, along with the semifinal and the final if they qualify for it.

Along with the restriction on families, curbs were put on personal staff and commercial endorsements during series, and players were asked to travel with the team to and from matches and practice sessions. Making participation in domestic matches mandatory and charging the players for excess baggage were some of the other measures put in place to crack down on the star culture in the team.