Secretary Devajit Saikia addressed the recent controversy surrounding the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s policy on family time for its international men’s cricketers. Despite the candid criticism from star player Virat Kohli, Saikia confirmed that the controversial policy would remain unchanged. Speaking on Wednesday, he emphasized that the policy was "paramount" for both the nation and the board, and that it had been in place for many years—an update to similar directives from the previous century. Saikia made it clear that the decision to maintain the policy was not an abrupt one, but rather an evolution of longstanding practices.

The Controversial Policy on Family Time

Reports regarding this family time policy emerged after India’s loss to Australia in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While the policy itself had not been made publicly available by the BCCI before, it stipulates that for each tour lasting 45 days, cricketers are allowed two weeks of family time. However, family visits can only be granted under special circumstances, with approval from the board. The policy also included other rules, such as mandating that players travel together, reduce their luggage, and follow strict team protocols during tours.

Saikia discussed the rationale behind this policy, noting its importance to the institution as well as to the broader goals of the team. “At this stage, the current policy will remain intact, as it is of paramount importance to both the nation and our institution, the BCCI," he told Cricbuzz in an interview. He also acknowledged that there might be resentment or differing opinions on the policy but clarified that the decision was made with the best interests of all parties in mind.

Policy’s Long-Standing Roots

In his statement, Saikia pointed out that this policy wasn’t a new development, but rather an evolution of similar rules that had been in place for decades. He revealed that the policy dates back to the playing days of the BCCI’s president, Roger Binny, and even potentially earlier. The amendments to the current policy include provisions regarding players’ presence at practice sessions, match schedules, luggage, team movements, and other activities, all aimed at fostering team cohesion and unity.

"The policy has not been formulated overnight; it has been in place for decades, dating back to the playing days of our president, Roger Binny – and possibly even earlier," Saikia said. “The new policy is an amendment of the previous one, with additional provisions regarding players’ presence at practice sessions, match schedules, tours, luggage, team movements, and other ancillary activities, all aimed at the objective of team cohesion and unity."

Virat Kohli’s Criticism

The controversy surrounding the policy gained traction after Virat Kohli expressed his disappointment with the rule during an event organized by his IPL franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore. Kohli, a prominent figure in Indian cricket, spoke candidly about how the policy impacted players' mental well-being, especially the need for family support during long tours. He emphasized that being away from family for extended periods, particularly during intense times in a player's career, was mentally and emotionally challenging.

"If you ask any player, do you want your family to be around you all the time? They’ll be like, yes. I don’t want to go to my room and just sit alone and sulk. I want to be able to be normal," Kohli said. "It is very difficult to explain to people how grounding it is to come back to your family every time you have something intense happening on the outside. I don’t think people have an understanding of what value it brings. I feel quite disappointed about that. People who have no control over what is going on are kind of brought into conversations and put out in the forefront. Maybe they need to be kept away."

Kohli’s remarks resonated with many players and fans alike, highlighting the mental toll that being away from loved ones can take on athletes. His honest criticism was the first of its kind from a current player, making his stance on the issue more noteworthy.

BCCI’s Response and Future Outlook

While Saikia acknowledged that Kohli’s comments represented a significant point of view, he maintained that the policy would not be revised in light of the criticism. The secretary’s position underlined the BCCI’s commitment to ensuring team cohesion and discipline, with policies that apply uniformly to all members of the team, including players, coaches, managers, and support staff.

"The BCCI recognises that there may be some resentment or differing opinions, as in a democratic setup, people are entitled to express their views," Saikia added. "The policy is applied uniformly to all team members – players, coaches, managers, support staff, and everyone involved – and has been implemented with the best interests of everyone in mind."

While the policy remains unchanged, the open discussion initiated by Kohli sheds light on a crucial issue in modern cricket: the balance between maintaining a strong, unified team and addressing the personal well-being of players. Given the intensity and duration of international cricket tours, it is clear that the mental health and emotional needs of players should be given equal consideration as their physical performance.

The BCCI's stance on limiting family time during international tours, despite criticism from Virat Kohli, emphasizes the organization's focus on team cohesion and discipline. While the policy remains in place, Kohli's candid comments have sparked a much-needed conversation about the mental health and well-being of players. It will be interesting to see if future policies evolve to strike a better balance between team unity and players' personal needs, particularly as the demands of international cricket continue to intensify.

Kohli’s remarks offer valuable insight into the challenges players face in a high-pressure environment, and perhaps, this conversation could lead to greater understanding and support for players’ emotional needs in the future. Whether the policy is revised or not, it is clear that the mental health of players remains a key issue that deserves more attention in the world of professional sports.