Kohli disappointed over BCCI rule limiting family time on tours

Virat Kohli has voiced his disappointment over the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) new restrictions on players’ family stays during international tours, arguing that time with loved ones is crucial for emotional balance.

Speaking at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, Kohli said it was difficult for people to understand the grounding effect of returning to family after high-pressure matches.

Under the new regulations, families can stay with players for only two weeks during tours lasting 45 days or more. This policy meant no player had family privileges during the recent ICC Champions Trophy unless they arranged it privately or secured prior board approval.

 

 

 

 

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“I feel quite disappointed about that,” Kohli said. “People who have no control over what is going on are kind of brought into conversations and put out in the forefront. Maybe they need to be kept away.”

The restrictions are part of a broader set of 10-point guidelines introduced after India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy defeat. The rules also include mandatory participation in domestic cricket and stricter travel policies for players’ wives and girlfriends.

Kohli also addressed his reduced social media presence, saying he no longer feels the need to share personal milestones online.

“Posting about us winning the Champions Trophy is not going to increase the happiness in my heart,” he said. “People saying ‘oh, you’re amazing’ in the comments doesn’t matter.”

The former Indian captain added that technology could be a distraction and that he has consciously reduced his engagement to focus on his game and personal life.

With BCCI’s new policies sparking debate, it remains to be seen whether player concerns will lead to any revisions.