BCCI strict on Gautam Gambhir, PA removed… shifted to another hotel, why is this happening?

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India had issued 10-point guidelines after the Australia tour. Which was followed in the recent England series. Now it will be followed during the Champions Trophy 2025 on any foreign tour.

The biggest example of how serious BCCI is about these 10 guidelines can be gauged from the living arrangements of personal staff. Personal assistant of India head Gautam Gambhir, who had incurred the displeasure of BCCI officials for staying with Gambhir in Australia, has now been quietly asked not to stay in the same hotel with the players.

The report claims that the personal secretary of a member of the coaching staff, who regularly stayed in the team hotel, now lives in a separate facility, whereas he was seen everywhere during the England home series.

Though Gambhir is not named in the report, no member of the Indian coaching staff (apart from the head coach) has a PA travelling with the team. Moreover, the presence of Gambhir’s PA at every important team meeting had irked BCCI officials in Australia.

Why was his PA sitting in the car earmarked for the national selectors? He cannot even have a private discussion with an unknown third person in the car. Why was he allotted a place in the BCCI’s hospitality box in Adelaide? The official also said how did the PA have breakfast in the cordoned off area of ​​a five-star hotel? Which is earmarked only for team members.

Rapid change in England series

Things changed rapidly during the home series against England. Gambhir’s PA was present at the venues of India’s matches, but he kept a distance from the players and official functions and is now staying in a separate hotel, which is a direct result of the BCCI’s order.

No families accompanying players in Champions Trophy

After Indian cricket’s biggest stars (Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul) made themselves available for Ranji Trophy matches following strict directions from the BCCI, the board has now reminded players of the guidelines for overseas travel.

While some of the guidelines have already been implemented during the home series against England, the full set of guidelines will be implemented from the Champions Trophy onwards as this will be India’s first overseas tour after the BCCI issued these directives.

The most notable change will be seen in the players’ travel partners. During the last few overseas tours, including ICC events, many top cricketers were accompanied by their family members, but that will no longer be the case.

Given that the duration of the tour is a little over three weeks, with the final scheduled for March 9, the BCCI will not allow families to accompany the players. As per the new guidelines, families can stay with the players for a maximum of two weeks during a tour of 45 days or more.

Rules are same for every player…

No exceptions will be made for any player. However, the board is still considering whether to allow players to take their families along at their own expense. Restrictions have also been imposed on the personal staff (managers, agents, chefs) who were earlier with the team and coaching group. It is believed that the BCCI is trying to add some cooks to meet the special dietary requirements of some players.