Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said that the BCCI is shifting from the main issue by bringing out a policy guideline for players. He also added that most of the points mentioned in the new rulebook existed during his playing days only, he added that the main concern is about India playing poor cricket recently. This came after India suffered a 3-0 whitewash at home against New Zealand, and then they crushed 3-1 in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia as well.
Speaking to news agency PTI, Harbhajan Singh said, “When I was reading the travel policy document reported by the media, I hardly found anything new from the last time I represented India as a centrally-contracted cricketer. At least nine out of 10 points, including duration of family visits, staying in same hotel, practice timings, all are same. My question is if these rules were in place during my time, who all have altered it and when? That should be probed.”
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He again shared, “Hum log mudde se bhatak rahein hain (We are deviating from the main issue). We didn’t lose 1-3 because wives and partners were there for two months. We didn’t lose because someone travelled separately. We lost because we have played very poor cricket at times. We didn’t bat well even at home. We have players who are horribly out of form. What are the course corrections being made? Or is it just these off-the-field things being discussed?”
While issuing the policy guidelines, the BCCI has reportedly warned all the players that they could face strict disciplinary action for not following rules, which could include being banned from the IPL as well.
“I think some of the points needed to be revisited because they were being flouted. Like in our times, I never saw a Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid or Anil Kumble leave for Mumbai, Kolkata or Bengaluru just because the match has ended in three days and next game is a week away. They all stayed and travelled to next destination. Only change I see (in the new rulebook) is 150 kg suitcase allowance. Back in the day, we used to have lesser,” he concluded.
