The BCCI's recent decision to restrict family attendance during tours has significantly impacted Indian cricketers. Following India's disappointing tour of Australia, players expressed genuine concern upon hearing the news. Captain Rohit Sharma inadvertently revealed confidential details regarding this issue while announcing the squad for the Champions Trophy, stating, "I will have to sit down with the secretary to discuss a few things. About the family and other stuff."

Under the new regulations, cricketers are prohibited from having their families accompany them on tours lasting less than 15 days. Consequently, during the Champions Trophy, certain family members, including Virat Kohli's wife Anushka Sharma, were present to support India in matches against Pakistan, Australia, and New Zealand. Although players have largely refrained from commenting on the BCCI's new protocols, Kohli expressed his discontent with the board's decision, emphasizing the importance of family support during challenging times. He noted that while teammates provide assistance, the love and encouragement from family are irreplaceable.

Kapil Dev, India's iconic World Cup-winning captain, has contributed to the ongoing discussion, advocating for a balanced approach that considers both personal well-being and team obligations. 

"Well, I don’t know, that’s individual. I think it’s the cricket board’s call," Kapil Dev remarked during the 'Kapil Dev Grant Thornton Invitational' event.

"My view is, yes, you need family. But you also need a team, all the time."

Reflecting on his own experiences, Kapil, who led India to its first World Cup victory in 1983, shared how players of his generation balanced professional duties with personal lives. 

"In our time, we used to say to ourselves – not by the cricket board – that the first half of the tour should be cricket, and in the second half, the family should come and enjoy it too. It should be a blend," he stated.

The debate

The family directive has sparked a range of opinions within the Indian cricket community, particularly following Virat Kohli's outspoken support for having family members accompany players on tours. Kohli highlighted the significance of loved ones in fostering a sense of normalcy and emotional well-being amidst the challenges of international cricket.

During the recently held Champions Trophy, Kohli, along with teammates Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami, chose to have their families with them in Dubai. However, they decided against staying at the team hotel and instead covered their own accommodation costs.

Kohli elaborated on the critical role families play, asserting that the importance of their presence is frequently overlooked. 

"It is very difficult to explain to people how grounding it is to just come back to your family every time you have something intense, which happens on the outside," he stated, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

"I do not think people have an understanding of what value it brings to a large extent. And I feel quite disappointed about that because it is like people who have no control over what is going on are kind of brought into conversations and put out at the forefront that, 'oh, maybe they need to be kept away'," Kohli further expressed.

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