Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed his view that the current culture within Indian cricket resembles that of "mainstream Bollywood." His remarks follow the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) releasing a 10-point guideline for centrally contracted players, addressing issues such as family travel and participation in domestic cricket.

The BCCI convened a review meeting in light of India's disappointing performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where they suffered a 1-3 series defeat to Australia. Among the new regulations, the board has mandated that players must participate in domestic cricket to be considered for selection.

Additionally, the board has placed limitations on family travel during tours and the presence of personal staff, including chefs and bodyguards.

Manjrekar commented on ESPNCricinfo Newsroom, stating, "It seems rather immature that these discussions arise only after India faces a 3-0 defeat against New Zealand and Australia. I wish these matters had been addressed while the team was experiencing success. It should not take a significant setback for such issues, which are detrimental to team culture, to be acknowledged."

He further noted, "This is one of the minor factors contributing to our performance at home against New Zealand and in Australia. Such norms should be fundamental. Throughout our careers, we shared accommodations, and families would visit during the final weeks of a tour."

Manjrekar also referenced Sachin Tendulkar, highlighting that despite being a prominent figure, Tendulkar did not travel with a personal bodyguard. He emphasized that being part of the team inherently provides sufficient security.

"Sachin Tendulkar was an immense star during our time. He was always with the team and did not require a personal bodyguard. When you are with the team, there is adequate security in place," Manjrekar remarked.

He concluded by stating, "The culture that has infiltrated Indian cricket bears a resemblance to that of mainstream Bollywood. I hope that moving forward, cricket, and specifically Indian cricket, remains true to its essence as a sport."

'Players should be on their own'

Sanjay Manjrekar expresses the view that the presence of families during tours does not contribute positively to team dynamics and cohesion. He noted that players often take regular breaks, suggesting that being away from their families for a few days is manageable.

"I have consistently maintained that, as professionals, it is more beneficial not to have family accompany players on shorter tours. While it has been argued that players endure extensive travel and play a significant amount of cricket, which may seem unfair, that is a matter of the past. Nowadays, players are able to take periodic breaks to spend time with their families," Manjrekar stated.

"I firmly believe that players should operate independently. The nature of this profession is high-pressure and fraught with tension. I do not think that having family members accompany players on tours, especially when they are taking breaks, contributes positively to team culture or the overall environment," he further remarked.

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