India is set
to kick off its 2025 ICC Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on
February 20. This will be followed by a high-stakes encounter against Pakistan
on February 23 and a crucial match against New Zealand on March 2.
In a
significant policy shift, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has
granted permission for players to have their families accompany them during the
tournament in Dubai. This comes as a relief after a series of stringent
regulations imposed following the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Limited
Family Access: What Are the Rules?
While the
BCCI has approved family presence, it comes with a key restriction—each
player’s relatives can stay with them for only one match. Players must
coordinate among themselves and submit a request to the board, which will then
handle the necessary arrangements.
Previously,
families were not allowed on short-duration tours like the Champions Trophy.
However, considering the nature of the event, the board has made an exception
this time.
BCCI’s
Family Policy: What’s Changed?
Under the
BCCI’s existing policy, family members could only join players on overseas
tours longer than 45 days, with a strict two-week window. The policy also
imposed limits on personal staff and commercial engagements during tours.
Since the
Champions Trophy is a shorter event, family presence was initially not
permitted. However, with this recent decision, players will now get a brief
opportunity to spend time with their loved ones—albeit through a structured
approval process involving the BCCI.
The board
has emphasized that the policy is designed to maintain professional standards
and ensure smooth tour operations. Any exceptions require prior approval from
the Chairman of the Selection Committee and the Head Coach. Non-compliance
could lead to disciplinary action, including bans from BCCI tournaments like
the Indian Premier League (IPL) or financial penalties in the form of
deductions from match fees or central contracts.
India’s
Champions Trophy Schedule
- February 20: India vs. Bangladesh
- February 23: India vs. Pakistan
- March 2: India vs. New Zealand
The match
against New Zealand will be a decisive one, as Team India aims to leave its
mark on the international stage.
