New SOP guidelines non-negotiable, BCCI tells Champions Trophy-bound players

[rollingstoned]

New SOP guidelines non-negotiable, BCCI tells Champions Trophy-bound players

 

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New SOP guidelines non-negotiable, BCCI tells Champions Trophy-bound players

Vijay TagoreThu, Feb 13, 2025 • 6:42 PM

The touring manager has been asked to ensure compliance with the new SOPs. ©Getty

Last month, when questioned about much-debated new disciplinary and travel guidelines for the Indian team, Rohit Sharma had shot back in press conference stating, "Who told you about this? Has it come from the official end? Has it come officially?"

 

The India skipper was also heard telling chief selector Ajit Agarkar that he would need to sit with the BCCI officials about it.

Next time if Rohit is asked the query, it is unlikely there will be a who-told-you response.

 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially and formally handed over the SOPs - on travel, nets, luggage allowances, and accompanying family members - to all the players. During the recent third ODI in Ahmedabad, the players have been told that the guidelines, largely disciplinary in nature, are non-negotiable.

 

It can now be confirmed that the rules will kick in with immediate effect - to be precise from the 2025 Champions Trophy itself - and the touring manager has been authorised to ensure compliance. The BCCI said the objective of the SOPs was "to establish guidelines that promote discipline, unity, and a positive team environment while ensuring professional standards and operational efficiency during tours and series."

 

Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) secretary R Devraj will be the manager of the team during the February 19-March 9 ICC event in Dubai and he has been clearly told to strictly enforce the rules. "There is no going back on this and the players have made aware that the BCCI is very serious about the SOPs," a team source in the know of the development, told Cricbuzz.

 

Most prominent among the SOPs is the restriction on individual staff during tour. The guidelines state, "Personal staff (e.g., personal managers, chefs, assistants and security) are to be restricted on tours or series unless explicitly approved by the BCCI. This ensures that the focus remains on team operations and minimizes logistical challenges. - this has to be done away with."

 

The players were known to have more than half a dozen staff in their personal entourages, including cooks, nannies and hairdressers, besides the immediate family members. "The BCCI is very strict about this rule," the source said.

 

There was an advisory on players being accompanied by family members, mainly spouses. The new rules state that players absent from India for more than 45 days during overseas tours can be joined by their partners and children (under 18) for one visit per series (format-wise) of up to a two-week period. With the Champions Trophy lasting about four weeks, the family members/spouses will not be seen.

 

Another important instruction is that the players will have to travel by team bus, rather than by their individual vehicles, after completion of net sessions. "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. Exceptions, if any, must be pre approved by the head coach and Chairman of the Selection Committee," the advisory states.

 

Another similar clause says, "All players are required to stay for the entire duration of scheduled practice sessions and travel together to and from the venue. This rule ensures commitment and fosters a strong work ethic within the team." Violation of this rule could be seriously viewed by the BCCI.

 

There is also a rule pertaining to players participating in commercial shoots. It reads, "Players are not permitted to engage in personal shoots or endorsements during an ongoing series or tour. This avoids distractions and ensures that the players' focus remains on cricket and team responsibilities."

 

The Indian team will leave for Dubai in two days, on February 15. India's first match, against Bangladesh, is on February 20. The big game, against Pakistan, is on February 23 with the last league fixture, against New Zealand, slated for March 2. Should India reach the semifinal, it will be played on March 4 and the final is scheduled for March 9.

[Number]

Dubai may not be such an attractive holiday spot for these guys. So they will give this one a pass.

 

Edited February 14, 2025 by Number

[LordPrabhzy]

the whole tournament is 17 days long ( assuming India even reach the finals).. so i think families will give it a miss anyway

[Ultimate_Game]

They play at max 5 matches if they reach final, and just 3 if they're knocked out in group stage. The tourney lasts just over 2 weeks. Surely they can manage without their family or maybe that's another excuse incoming for failing in yet another ICC tourney.

Edited February 14, 2025 by Ultimate_Game

[Lord]

Add one more : no mid match interview by dropped players

[Ultimate_Game]

20 minutes ago, Lord said:

Add one more : no mid match interview by dropped players

 

Then how will they prove they're "selfless" 

[Laaloo]

1 hour ago, Ultimate_Game said:

 

Then how will they prove they're "selfless" 

Or how will we find out if they are do bachhon ka Baap or paanch bachhon ka baap or without any aulad.

[diga]

what is SOP -> stupid opportunistic people? 

 

 

[Laaloo]

6 hours ago, diga said:

what is SOP -> stupid opportunistic people? 

 

 

Standard operating procedures 

[First class]

1 hour ago, Laaloo said:

Standard operating procedures 

Is that the British version of protocol ? 

[nevada]

On 2/15/2025 at 7:21 AM, First class said:

Is that the British version of protocol ? 

No. Heard the term in the US too. 

[Frustrated]

These so called protocols/SOPs are of no use if the TM doesn't want to understand the root cause of all our problems.  The root cause is the continued selection of a specialist nightwatchman at no.3 (The only nightwatchman in the world who can't even bowl one over).  

[diga]

On 2/15/2025 at 5:21 AM, Laaloo said:

Standard operating procedures 

Just messing... Stupid opportunistic sounds good