GUWAHATI: In response to India's 1-3 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly announced new guidelines for improving player performance and management. The board reportedly held a review meeting in Mumbai with head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Rohit Sharma, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, where several key policy changes were discussed, focusing on accountability, discipline, and performance enhancement.
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One of the significant changes under consideration is the reintroduction of pre-2019 rules limiting the duration of players’ families accompanying them on overseas tours. Under the new guidelines, families will be allowed to join players for 14 days on tours lasting 45 days or longer, and for 7 days on shorter tours. This decision comes after concerns that the extended presence of family members during long tours, such as the recent series in Australia, may have affected players' concentration and performance.
The BCCI is also set to enforce stricter travel protocols, requiring all players to travel together on the team bus. This move will eliminate the previous exceptions that allowed senior players to use separate transport, with the goal of enhancing team unity and discipline.
Additionally, the review meeting addressed the issue of head coach Gautam Gambhir’s travel arrangements, particularly the presence of his personal manager, Gaurav Arora, throughout the series. The new guidelines will prohibit personal managers from staying in team hotels, sitting in VIP boxes, or using team vehicles. This unprecedented arrangement had drawn criticism, prompting the BCCI to ensure greater adherence to professional norms.
To increase accountability, the BCCI is reportedly considering implementing a performance-based variable pay structure. This new system could involve financial deductions for players whose performances fall below expectations. The proposed structure will complement the existing incentive model, which rewards players with Rs 30 lakh per Test for participation in over 50% of matches, and up to Rs 45 lakh for those playing in more than 75% of matches during a season.
