Following India’s 1-3 defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) introduced a 10-point disciplinary guideline aimed at reinforcing team discipline and structure. A key aspect of these new regulations is the mandatory participation of players in domestic cricket to regain form, a move that has drawn both support and criticism.
Former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan backed the idea but emphasized the importance of managing workload effectively. Speaking to ANI, Dhawan stated, “Absolutely, you should go and play. If someone is coming back from an injury, they must prove their match fitness in domestic cricket. Take Shami [Mohammed], for example. He played a full domestic season to prove his fitness before returning to international cricket. That match sharpness is crucial.”
However, he also stressed the need for a balanced approach, pointing out that constant game time without sufficient rest could be counterproductive. “If a player is out of form, then yes, domestic cricket is the best way to regain rhythm, but if someone has just finished an intense international tour and only has a five-day gap before the next one, playing in that short break could affect his freshness. It’s important to manage that carefully,” Dhawan added.
The rule enforcing domestic participation has already seen two of India’s biggest stars, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, return to the Ranji Trophy after over a decade. Kohli last played for Delhi in 2013, while Rohit’s previous Ranji appearance for Mumbai dates back even further. This development has sparked debate, with former India captain Kapil Dev questioning the timing of their return. He argued that playing domestic cricket should be a continuous practice, not just a reaction to poor performances.
“If you are talking about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, playing Ranji Trophy after 12 years… how is that right? It does not look good at all. It’s not because they did not perform. Whether they score runs or not, you have to score runs in domestic cricket. So yes, certain strong measures have to be taken. But my point is, had we won or had Rohit or Kohli scored runs, would they have played Ranji Trophy? Don’t look at the performances, make the system strong. Whether you score zero or lakhs of runs, play cricket by staying within the system,” Dev told Cricket Adda.
Beyond domestic commitments, the new guidelines also impose restrictions on family time during tours, limiting how long players’ spouses and children can accompany them. Dhawan acknowledged that such regulations have existed before, stating, “These rules have existed in the past as well. There have always been restrictions on how long family members can stay. After a certain period, they leave, and players focus solely on cricket.”
At the same time, he highlighted the importance of emotional balance, explaining that a player’s well-being is linked to their ability to switch off from the game. “Cricketers live a very disciplined life. Having a companion is important because it helps a player relax in a comfort zone. If you’re constantly in an intense mindset, you will burn out faster. Switching off is as important as switching on,” Dhawan emphasized.
Kapil Dev also weighed in on the family restrictions, supporting the BCCI’s decision but suggesting a structured approach. “Taking your wives on tours is not wrong, but I feel that if the tour is one month, they should not be allowed for the first 20 days so that the players can play together as a team. Similarly, for a three-month campaign, at least for a month players should be left alone with the team,” he said.
Another significant rule change prohibits players from traveling separately, reinforcing the idea of team unity. Dev backed this decision, stating, “Also, the team should travel together. This is not an individual sport.”
Meanwhile, Kohli and Rohit will be back in action on Wednesday as India faces England in the third and final ODI in Ahmedabad. Having already clinched the series, this match serves as crucial preparation for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
