The BCCI, following its review meeting to make a postmortem on the debacle in the recently-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has imposed a few restrictions on India’s centrally-contracted players. 

Among the restrictions these guidelines, accessed by The Indian Express, participation in domestic tournaments is mandatory for selection and tops the list followed by rules for family travel, baggage allowance, restrictions on personal staff, advertisement shoots, and a ban on players returning home if matches end early.

The BCCI has also stated that any player, disobeying the guidelines may face disciplinary action, which includes sanctions from playing tournaments conducted by the board, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), and deductions in annual contract and match fee.

Exceptions can be made, but in such cases, the respective cricketer must obtain permission from the head coach and chief selector, as the policy document for Team India states.

Following the review meeting, a few of the players, including Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill, have already committed to play the next round of Ranji fixtures starting on 23rd January with no clarity on the participation of Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja for their respective state units.

The BCCI has stated that these guidelines have been introduced to promote discipline, unity, and a positive team environment. It has also banned the presence of personal chefs, security guards, hairdressers, and stylists on tours. 

But how much of it is well received by the players remains to be seen, especially with regards to not having chefs on tours. Some of the big-name Indian players take chefs on tours to manage their diet which is programmed according to their personal needs.

Similarly, the BCCI has now made it mandatory for all the players to only use the team bus even if players have families accompanying them to the ground on match days. ‘All players are expected to travel with the team to and from matches and practice sessions. Separate travel arrangements with families are discouraged to maintain discipline and team cohesion,’ according to the decision mentioned in the BCCI guidelines. 

The BCCI has also imposed restrictions on the trip of the cricketers’ family members during the tour where the cricketers can have their respective family members for only two weeks provided an away tour longer than 45 days. 

New restrictions have also been set about players attending endorsement programs in the middle of a series and tour. "Players are not permitted to engage in personal shoots or endorsements during an ongoing series or tour. This policy avoids distractions and ensures players remain focused on cricket and team responsibilities."

Lastly, the BCCI has also decided to end the habit of players returning home individually at the end of tours. Of late, it has become common for players to head home separately at the conclusion of tours at home and abroad.