DOC wrote:KOHLI V INDIA: IT’S FIGHT TIME
Robert Craddock
Superstar Virat Kohli is on a collision course with Indian cricket administration following a stunning list of demands placed on players after their series loss in Australia.
The demands have the potential to force Kohli into premature retirement because there are several he is unlikely to accept.
Players have been ordered to play for their domestic teams but Kohli is moving to England.
He has not played for Delhi for 13 years and has no intention of rejoining the side at this late stage of his career.
The BCCI has declared players who do not adhere to the rules will face fines or could be banned from playing in the Indian Premier League.
There is a feeling senior players like Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma, who has not played a first-class game for Mumbai in 10 years, could have benefited by more match play in the less intense atmosphere of domestic cricket.
The BCCI has claimed the guidelines have been introduced to promote team unity after reports of division on the Australian tour, in which the Aussies won 3-1.
India lost its most recent home series 3-0 to New Zealand, which means it has won just one of its past eight Tests.
The new rules ban players from having personal chefs, hairdressers, security guards and stylists on tour.
Several players brought personal chefs to Australia and will be chastened by the news they will no longer be welcome.
It will now be mandatory for players to stay until the end of training sessions rather than leave after they have batted or bowled.
The BCCI has declared players must travel on the team bus rather than in private vehicles, which several stars, including Kohli, used to hire for their families.
Players have been banned from being involved in private promotions during a tour and families will now be allowed to stay on tour for just two weeks.
The rules come after the board had lengthy meetings with axed captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.
1. Domestic matches: Participation in domestic matches is mandatory for players to remain eligible for selection in the national team and for central contracts.
2. Travel: All players are expected to travel with the team to and from matches and practice sessions. Separate travel arrangements with families are discouraged to maintain discipline and team cohesion.
3. Excess baggage limit: Players are required to adhere to the specified baggage limits shared with the team. For long-duration tours of more than 30 days players are allowed five pieces (three suitcases and two kit bags) or up to 150kg.
4. Personal staff: Personal managers, chefs, assistants, security personnel and other personnel are to be restricted on tours or series unless explicitly approved by the BCCI.
5. Bags: Players must coordinate with team management about sending equipment and personal items to the Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru.
6. Practice: All players are required to attend scheduled practice sessions in full and travel together to and from the venue.
7. Personal Shoots: Players are not permitted to engage in personal shoots or endorsements during an ongoing series or tour.
8. Family: Players on tour for more than 45 days may be joined by their partners and children for one visit per series lasting up to two weeks.
9. BCCI events: Players are required to be available for BCCI’s official shoots, promotional activities and functions.
10. End of tours: Players must stay with the team until the scheduled end of the match series or tour, even if matches end earlier than planned.
BCCI will buckle on most of this.
