Former Australian national cricket team player Ian Healy spoke about BCCI's step to make things disciplined in Indian cricket. He said the way they introduced the guidelines meant they admitted they had let discipline slip away from the team.
India's national cricket team has been in the headlines for the past few weeks. This comes after there were reports of indiscipline during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Head coach Gautam Gambhir reported about the same to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
BCCI issues guidelines for players, says all players should be available for domestic cricket
After that BCCI issued guidelines for players and took some strong steps. They have issued 10-point guidelines and according to them all players should be available for domestic cricket and will have to “stay for the duration of the scheduled practice sessions and travel together to and from the venue” .
Apart from this, the policy also stipulated that the BCCI enforced restrictions on the time the players spent with their families during the tournament. Players' families will only be allowed for the current two weeks in the 45-day tournament.
Strong and stern response from Indian cricket authorities who admit they let the national team's discipline slip – Ian Healy
With the BCCI introducing the guidelines, former Australian cricketer Ian Healy called it a reshaping of Indian cricket. He said it was a strict response from the governing body after the indiscipline of the players. Speaking to SEN Radio, he explained:
“The Reformation of Indian Cricket. A stern and strong response from the Indian cricket authorities who admit they have let the discipline of the national team slip away.”
Australia – plus other countries – be aware of how far things can go without noticing the effects. – Ian Healy
Ian Healy, who represented Australia in 119 Tests and 168 ODIs between 1988 and 1999, said other cricket boards should be vigilant and take note of what is happening. He elaborated:
“It made extraordinary reading that the following issues could remain unapproved for so long. Perhaps administrators and players have disrespected the dream of representing a sporting powerhouse.
“Australia – plus other countries – be aware of how far things can go without you noticing the effects. Be vigilant. Take all of that into the contest.”
The BCCI also stated that all players will now have to travel with the team. Earlier, some of the senior cricketers also traveled to and from the stadiums in personal vehicles, which the BCCI operations team would arrange with the help of state units.
The BCCI has also banned personal managers or players' assistants and support staff members from staying in the team hotel. Additionally, no player will be allowed to carry their chef or hairstylist in tournaments.