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.
The Indian National Cricket Team has been in the headlines for the past few weeks. This comes after 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 must be available for domestic cricket
After that BCCI issued guidelines for the players and took some strong steps. They issued 10-point guidelines, and according to this, all players should be available for domestic cricket and should “remain for the duration of the scheduled training sessions and travel together to and from the venue”.
Apart from this, the policy also saw the BCCI implement restrictions on the time players would spend with their families during the tour. Players’ families will only be allowed in for the two weeks now on the 45-day tour.
Tough, strong response from Indian cricket authorities who admit they let their national team’s discipline slip badly – Ian Healy
With the introduction of guidelines by the BCCI, former Australian cricketer Ian Healy called it a makeover of Indian cricket. He said it was a stern response from the governing body following the indiscipline of the players. Speaking to SEN Radio he explained:
“The makeover of Indian cricket. A stern, strong response from Indian cricket authorities who have admitted they let their national team’s discipline slip badly.”
Australia – plus other countries – know how far things can go off the rails 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 alert and take note of what is happening. He clarified:
“It was an excellent read that the following issues could not be approved for such a long time. Perhaps the managers and players did not respect the dream of representing a powerhouse of the sport.
“Australia – plus other countries – know how far things can go off the rails without noticing the results. Stay alert. Take it all into the competition.”
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 grounds in personal vehicles, which the BCCI operations team will 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. Apart from this, no player will be allowed to take their chef or hairdresser on the trips.