A surprising revelation has emerged from India’s tour of Australia, prompting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to introduce a new set of travel regulations. Among these changes, the board has now placed a strict cap on player luggage weight for international assignments. As per the new rule, the BCCI luggage policy will only cover costs for up to 150 kg per player, preventing further misuse of the system.
The Reason Behind the Rule Change
According to a Dainik Jagran report, some players had been taking undue advantage of the board’s leniency. One particular player reportedly exceeded 250 kg of luggage, including 27 bags that contained not just cricketing gear but also personal belongings of his family members and staff. These bags included 17 bats, along with other personal items. Since the board had to cover the cost of transporting this excessive baggage across India, Australia, and different cities within Australia, the financial burden was substantial—running into several lakhs.
The BCCI luggage policy initially allowed players’ families and staff to transport their belongings separately. However, the unnamed player exploited a loophole, forcing the board to cover everything under his personal luggage allocation. This practice, in turn, influenced other team members to follow suit, pushing the board to intervene and implement stricter guidelines.
BCCI’s New Travel Guidelines
In response to these concerns, the BCCI luggage policy has been revised, ensuring stricter oversight on travel logistics:
- Players can carry a maximum of 150 kg of baggage for overseas tours and must pay for any excess baggage themselves.
- Players must travel only on the team bus and cannot arrange private transportation.
- Family members cannot accompany players on official overseas assignments, including the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai.
A senior Indian player reportedly requested permission for his wife to travel with him to Dubai, but the board denied the request, stating that the same rules apply to everyone.
Impact on Indian Cricket
Since the Australia tour incident, these new rules have drastically changed how Indian players travel for international series. The BCCI luggage policy aims to curb unnecessary expenses while maintaining discipline and uniformity in team logistics. As India prepares for the ICC Champions Trophy, these policies ensure that players focus solely on cricket, minimizing distractions and financial waste.
With these measures in place, the BCCI has sent a clear message—strict discipline and equal treatment for all players, ensuring a more structured and cost-effective approach to team management.
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