Several inquiries that arose in the days following the Border-Gavaskar Trophy were addressed by India’s captain Rohit Sharma and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar during a press conference on Saturday, where they unveiled the squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy and the upcoming ODI series against England. One of the topics discussed was the 10-point directive issued by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) earlier in the week. Although Rohit declined to comment directly on the matter when questioned, he appeared to be conversing with Agarkar about it just before the commencement of the press conference, seemingly unaware that the microphone was already active and capturing their discussion.

"Now I will have to sit for another hour, an hour and a half after this. I will need to meet with the secretary to discuss a few matters. This is all about family and other things. Now everyone is telling me that…” Rohit was overheard quietly speaking to Agarkar before his remarks trailed off as he acknowledged another individual. 

The identity of the “secretary” remains uncertain, but it may refer to the BCCI's new secretary, Devajit Saikia. Among the notable aspects of the board's 10-point protocol was the limitation on the number of days a player's family can accompany them during the tour. Additionally, it stipulated that players must travel and stay with the rest of the team on the bus.

The BCCI's 10-point diktat

It is important to highlight that the board has not officially made this document available to the public. The Hindustan Times obtained access to it, revealing that the established protocols are designed to "promote discipline, unity, and a positive team environment while ensuring professional standards and operational efficiency during tours and series."

The document stipulates that participation in domestic cricket is now mandatory. This decision follows heightened discussions regarding senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli opting out of domestic matches. Rohit has since confirmed his participation in the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches for Mumbai, while Kohli is sidelined due to a neck injury.

As per the newly released guidelines, players must participate in domestic matches to maintain their eligibility for selection in the national team and for central contracts. The Board has also sanctioned a limited two-week period for families to accompany players during overseas tours.

Additionally, the BCCI has prohibited separate travel arrangements for families, stating that "all players are expected to travel with the team to and from matches and practice sessions."

These protocols further require players to be available for BCCI's official shoots, promotional activities, and functions, while prohibiting personal shoots or endorsements during a series or tour. This regulation aims to “avoid distractions and ensure that players remain focused on cricket and their team obligations.”

The directives were issued following India's disappointing performance during the 2024/25 season. After securing victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, India faced a historic defeat against Sri Lanka in an ODI series, marking their first loss to this opponent since 1997. This was compounded by an unprecedented 3-0 defeat in a Test series at home against New Zealand. These outcomes resulted in several unwelcome milestones for India, notably the end of their record home-winning streak in the Test series. Additionally, India had never previously lost a Test series to New Zealand on home soil and had never experienced a whitewash in a home Test series comprising more than two matches.

Subsequently, India suffered a 3-1 defeat to Australia, thereby relinquishing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in ten years. This series of setbacks culminated in their failure to qualify for the World Test Championship, despite being considered favourites at the season's outset.

During the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, it was reported that the Indian team did not fully celebrate their impressive victory in the first Test in Perth. Observations indicated that players appeared to prefer dispersing shortly after the match concluded, opting to celebrate with their families instead.

What Rohit and Agarkar said about the protocols

During the press conference, Rohit appeared reluctant to discuss the matter. He inquired, “Who informed you about these regulations? Has this information been released by the official BCCI account? We await an official statement.” In contrast, Agarkar attempted to minimize the significance of the protocols. "I believe every team has certain guidelines. We have discussed various aspects over the past few months regarding areas for improvement and fostering closer team dynamics. This is not a school setting, nor is it a form of punishment," he remarked.

"It simply involves adhering to established rules while representing the national team. These are all mature individuals, each a superstar in their own right within the realm of international sports," Agarkar added.

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