Virat Kohli: BCCI May Revise Family Stay Policy for Players on Tour

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering changes to its family stay policy for players and support staff during overseas tours. Sources indicate that if players seek extended stays for their families, they may apply for approval from the board.

This potential revision follows Virat Kohli’s recent criticism of the existing policy, where he emphasized the importance of family presence after intense matches. Speaking ahead of IPL 2025, Kohli stated, “If you ask any player, do you want your family to be around you all the time? You'll be like, yes. I don't want to go to my room and just sit alone and sulk.”

Current Family Stay Policy

The BCCI reintroduced restrictions on family stays following a disappointing tour of Australia earlier in 2025. The existing rules allow:

One visit per series (format-wise) for up to two weeks if a player is on tour for over 45 days.

BCCI covers shared accommodation, but all other expenses are borne by the player.

Visits must be pre-approved and scheduled in coordination with the coach, captain, and GM Operations.

Any extensions require additional approvals, with extra expenses not covered by BCCI.

Why the Restrictions?

The decision to limit family travel was taken after head coach Gautam Gambhir raised concerns about team cohesion in a review meeting with Rohit Sharma and BCCI officials. These guidelines were part of a 10-point disciplinary plan introduced for the senior men’s team.

Kapil Dev Supports Kohli’s View

Backing Kohli’s stance, former World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev commented that while team bonding is crucial, a balance between cricket and family is necessary. He recalled that during his time, players chose to have their families join them in the latter half of tours.

With Indian cricketers recently celebrating their Champions Trophy triumph in Dubai with their families, the debate over family presence on tours continues to gain momentum.