Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra spoke about the recent rules and regulations imposed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the travel of Indian players with the team.
Chopra believes there could have been a violation of the rules, forcing the BCCI to impose stricter restrictions. Under the rules, players are required to travel with the team instead of going to and from the ground separately.
The rules were imposed after India's recent Test series loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. After the defeat, the BCCI held a review meeting with some of the top officials present along with captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.
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Aakash Chopra breaks his silence on BCCI's travel rules
While speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra argued the need for these guidelines and predicted their misuse in the past. Chopra was surprised because he believes these rules have been in place before.
“Players cannot travel separately with their families. All players are expected to travel with the team to and from matches and practice. I am extremely surprised by this rule. You go to practice or the match is only with the team,” Chopra said.
“This has been going on forever. If someone wants to practice more, they ask the coach. But did someone leave earlier? There must have been some abuse; that's why this rule applies,” he added.
Aakash Chopra on Yashasvi Jaiswal's recent rule breaking
Aakash Chopra narrated a recent incident where opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was punished for being late to the team bus. However, he slammed the players for not traveling with the team and going individually.
“I'm pretty sure everyone wouldn't have broken the rule. Yashasvi Jaiswal couldn't make it recently and was punished for being late. That's a different story,” observed Aakash Chopra.
“If someone is claiming that they don't have to travel with the team because they are staying somewhere else or it's their city, then whoever allowed it should be called,” the former India opener added.
What are the new rules?
Under the new rule, players are required to travel with the team on the team bus. No player will be allowed to travel separately, even if they are playing in their hometown. If a player intends to travel separately, he will have to get the necessary permission from head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.
There are also rules regarding the availability of players' families in long tournaments. If the tour is 45 days or more, families will be allowed to stay with that player for no more than 14 days. The family cannot be there with the family for the first two weeks.
The rules come in the wake of India's recent Test series defeats to New Zealand and Australia. The Men in Blue suffered a shock 0-3 home Test series defeat and then lost 1-3 to Australia in an away series to bow out of the race for the World Test Championship final.