The BCCI has decided to stick to its existing SOPs for the Indian team, including the policy on family members travelling on overseas tours. Despite some players expressing concerns, the board believes the current guidelines serve the best interests of the team.

"At this stage, the current policy will remain intact, as it is of paramount importance to both the nation and our institution," BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia told Cricbuzz on Wednesday.

The policy, introduced after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, allows spouses and children under 18 to stay with players for up to two weeks—but only on tours lasting more than 45 days. This was first implemented during the Champions Trophy, and some players weren’t happy.

"If you ask any player, ‘Do you want your family around all the time?’ the answer will always be yes," Virat Kohli said at a recent event in Bengaluru. “I don’t want to just sit alone in my room. I want to feel normal. That way, you treat the game as a responsibility—you finish it, and then you come back to life.”

Saikia acknowledged the differing opinions but stood firm on the board's stance. “People are entitled to their views in a democratic setup. But this policy applies to everyone—players, coaches, managers, support staff—without exceptions. It has been designed with everyone's best interests in mind.”

He also clarified that the rule isn’t new. “This policy wasn't created overnight. It has existed for decades, dating back to the playing days of our president, Roger Binny—maybe even earlier.”

While the board has slightly relaxed the rules over time, Saikia hinted that any further changes would have to go through a formal review process. “There is room for relaxation under special circumstances, but only through the proper channels.”