BCCI issues 10-point diktat for players as coach seeks to end "Star Culture"

BCCI implements strict policy to promote discipline, unity, and domestic cricket, restricting families, staff, and endorsements during tours.

Cracking the whip on the Indian cricket team's "star culture", the BCCI on Thursday (January 16, 2025) unveiled a 10-point policy to promote "discipline and unity", making domestic cricket mandatory, imposing restriction on the presence of families and personal staff on tours and banning individual commercial endorsements during ongoing series.

It is learnt that the restrictions were sought by head coach Gautam Gambhir in a review meeting of the team's recent poor run.

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Non-compliance would invite sanctions, including cuts in the players' retainer fee from central contracts and a bar on participating in the cash-rich Indian Premier League.

The measures have been announced in the wake of the team's disastrous tour of Australia during which it surrendered the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade. The debacle was preceded by a series whitewash against a relatively under-strength New Zealand at home.

The 10 diktats make it mandatory for players to seek Gambhir and chairman of selectors' Ajit Agarkar's approval for any relaxation, including the duration of stay for their families on tour.

The Board has approved only a two-week window for families to stay with the players during overseas tours that exceed 45 days, besides imposing restrictions on personal staff, and commercial shoots.