In an unexpected but dramatic turn, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has come down hard with strict new travel regulations for the Indian cricket team, checking excessive baggage limits on foreign tours. The move comes after a shocking incident at the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, during which a senior player had transported a whopping 27 bags along with a trolley that weighed over 250 kg combined.
In compliance with reports in Jagran, not only did the player’s luggage consist of his cricket equipment and personal items, but it also contained items for his private employees and relatives. Among the overbaggage were 17 bats, which also added to the financial and organizational load on the board. Bringing this huge consignment from and to various Australian cities and eventually back to India incurred huge expenditures, which pushed the BCCI to act hastily.
In the future, a player will be permitted a maximum of 150 kg of luggage on international tours. Any additional baggage will need to be borne by the player personally so that the board is no longer burdened with unnecessary transportation costs. The rule is intended to bring discipline and professionalism into the team so that such occurrences are not repeated.
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In yet another significant alteration, Indian players will not be permitted to bring along their family members, wives, or partners to Dubai for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. Any special requests would have to be borne by the players themselves. Furthermore, the BCCI has also tightened the rules on personal staff like personal chefs, hairdressers, and player agents, upholding a better organized and professional tour milieu.
Indian star carried 27 bags to BGT 2024-25 for himself and family; BCCI had to pay for over 250 kg: Reports https://t.co/gSD47KCRhQ
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Per the BCCI’s revised travel policy, families can accompany players for a maximum of two weeks on tours exceeding 45 days. However, they will be permitted during India’s five-Test series in England later this year, with the timing of their stay to be determined later.
The Indian squad will leave for Dubai on February 15, preparing for the Champions Trophy. After their dominating performances against England in both ODIs and T20Is, Rohit Sharma’s team will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20.
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The highly anticipated match against Pakistan is on February 23, and their last group-stage match against New Zealand will be on March 2. While the India group-stage games will take place in Dubai, the remainder of the ICC Champions Trophy will be played out in Pakistan across Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi.
