Page 41 - The Indian EYE 012425

SPORTS JANUARY 24, 2025 | The Indian Eye 41

for the entire duration of scheduled to travel with the team for all match- to be borne by the individual player. “Sending bags separately to the
practice sessions and travel togeth- es and practice sessions. Separate This policy helps streamline logis- Centre of Excellence Players must
er to and from the venue. This rule travel arrangements with families are tics and avoid unnecessary expenses. coordinate with team management
ensures commitment and fosters a discouraged to maintain discipline Players must adhere to these regarding equipment and person-
strong work ethic within the team,” and team cohesion. Any exceptions limits, with any excess baggage costs al items being sent to the Centre of
it added. must be pre-approved by the head being borne individually. Excellence, Bengaluru. Any addi-
The statement added that the coach and chairman of the selection The presence of personal staff, tional costs incurred due to separate
players are required to be available committee. such as managers, chefs, assistants, arrangements will be the player’s re-
for BCCI’s official shoots, promo- To streamline logistics and avoid and security personnel, is restricted sponsibility,” BCCI stated.
tional activities, and functions. challenges, the BCCI has set spe- on tours and series. Any exceptions The family travel policy is de-
“Players are required to be avail- cific baggage limits for players and require explicit approval from the signed to balance players’ personal
able for BCCI’s official shoots, pro- support staff. For away tours lasting BCCI. This measure aims to ensure well-being with team commitments.
motional activities, and functions. more than 30 days, players are al- team focus and minimize logistical Players who are away from India for
These engagements are essential lowed 5 pieces of luggage (3 suitcases complications. more than 45 days during overseas
for maintaining the BCCI’s commit- and 2 kit bags) or up to 150 kg, while “Restriction on Individual Staff tours are eligible to have their part-
ments to stakeholders and promot- support staff can bring 3 pieces (2 on Tour/Series Personal staff (e.g., ners and children (under 18) join
ing the game effectively,” BCCI’s large suitcases and 1 small) or up to personal managers, chefs, assistants them for one visit per series, with a
statement added. 80 kg. For away tours shorter than 30 and security) are to be restricted on maximum duration of two weeks.
BCCI’s new policies for Team days, players are permitted 4 pieces tours or series unless explicitly ap- The BCCI will cover shared accom-
India also made it “mandatory” for (2 suitcases and 2 kit bags) or up to proved by the BCCI. This ensures modation with the player during the
the players to participate in domestic 120 kg, and support staff are allowed that the focus remains on team op- visitors’ period, while all other ex-
matches to remain “eligible” for se- 2 pieces (2 suitcases) or up to 60 kg. erations and minimizes logistical penses must be borne by the player.
lection in the national team and for During home series, both players and challenges. - this has to be done away Visits should be coordinated to occur
the central contracts. support staff are limited to 4 pieces (2 with,” BCCI said in a statement. at a single time, with dates agreed
The Board seems to be aiming to suitcases and 2 kit bags) or up to 120 Players must coordinate with upon by the coach, captain, and GM
enhance discipline, streamline logis- kg for players, and 2 pieces (2 suitcas- team management regarding the Operations. Any exceptions to this
tics, and promote team unity during es) or up to 60 kg for support staff. transfer of equipment or personal policy must be pre-approved by the
domestic and international tours. “Excess Baggage Limit Players items to the Centre of Excellence in coach, captain, and GM Operations,
The new guidelines include trav- are required to adhere to the specified Bengaluru. Any costs incurred due and additional expenses beyond the
el, baggage limits, family visits, and baggage limits shared with the team. to separate arrangements will be the visitors’ period will not be covered by
team dynamics. Players are expected Any excess baggage costs will need responsibility of the player. the BCCI.

YUVRAJ BACKS ROHIT DESPITE TWO

CONSECUTIVE SERIES LOSSES

OUR BUREAU Be it a 10-match winning streak during the 2023
ICC Cricket World Cup at home, which conclud-
New Delhi
ed with a loss to Australia in the final or India’s
ormer all-rounder Yuvraj Singh backed In- redemption with an ICC T20 World Cup title win
dia skipper Rohit Sharma’s leadership skills in 2024 at Barbados, Rohit’s captaincy has given
Fdespite two consecutive series losses against fans plenty of positives.
New Zealand and Australia in Tests at home and Under him, the team also made it to the fi-
away respectively. nal of the ICC World Test Championship 2023,
As a captain, Rohit has seen some embar- where they lost to Australia.
rassing lows as of late. Just before the Test series But the second half of 2024, luck seems to
against Australia, India lost their first home Test have deserted the ‘Hitman’ both as a batter and
series in 12 years, to New Zealand by 0-3. This captain. In the 2024/25 Test season which start-
was also their first-ever whitewash in a home Test ed with the home series against Bangladesh,
series of three matches or more. Rohit scored just 164 runs in eight matches
“Gautam Gambhir needs to be given more and 15 innings at an average of 10.93 with the
time as he has just come into the system. Rohit best score of 52. During the recently-concluded
won us the T20 World Cup and he was the cap- Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he could make just
tain when India reached the World Cup (ODI) 31 runs in three Tests with best score of 10. His
final. Mumbai Indians won 5 IPLs under Ro- form struggles were such that he opted out of
hit’s captaincy. He stepped down in the last Test the final Test at Sydney.
(of BGT) to give someone else the chance, how In the 2024 calendar year, Rohit lost six
many captains have done that in the past? I look Tests, including four matches at home. This led
at what he has done in the last 3-5 years, one tour- to a decline in Rohit’s Test record as captain,
nament can’t decide. For me, the series defeat at winning 12 and losing nine, while three ended
home was more disappointing as India losing 3-0 in a draw. Former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh
against New Zealand was tougher,” Yuvraj Singh backed India skipper Rohit Sharma’s leader-
said during an event. ship skills despite two consecutive series losses
Rohit’s captaincy has been a mix of memora- Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh (ANI) against New Zealand and Australia in Tests at
ble highs and some extremely disappointing lows. home and away respectively.

www.TheIndianEYE.com