The BCCI have relaxed their new rule for Team India cricketers for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches in Dubai.
There is some good news for the Team India cricketers before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 gets under way for them in Dubai this week. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have climbed down on their strict stance not to allow players’ families on short tours and made an exception for the Champions Trophy ahead of India’s opening match against Bangladesh on Thursday.
The BCCI have told the cricketers that they will be allowed to fly down their family for one match in the ICC tournament, which is being organized for the first time after 2017. It is good news for Virat Kohli’s wife Anushka Sharma, KL Rahul’s wife Athiya Shetty and even Indian skipper Rohit Sharma’s wife Ritika Sajdeh.
India play Bangladesh, arch-rivals Pakistan and New Zealand in Dubai on February 20, 23 and March 2 respectively. One semifinal of the tournament is also scheduled to take place in Dubai while the final will also be held at the same venue if India reach the title clash.
According to a report in ‘Dainik Jagran’ newspaper, while the BCCI has permitted players’s wives and family members to accompany them to Dubai for the ICC Champions Trophy, a strict condition has been put in place. Each player is allowed to have their family present for only one match. Players must collectively decide and submit a request to the BCCI, which will then make the necessary arrangements.
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The BCCI will allow Indian players’ families to watch 1 match of the Champions Trophy in Dubai. They have to take the permission from the BCCI prior. pic.twitter.com/F0sp9o6obw
— gurdeeep (@2003Gurdeep) February 18, 2025
Previously, the BCCI had imposed a two-week limit for family stays during overseas tours exceeding 45 days. Additionally, restrictions were placed on personal staff and commercial engagements. For shorter tours like the Champions Trophy, family members were initially not permitted, but considering the significance of the event, the board made an exception—allowing their presence for just one match. It remains unclear which match the players have chosen for this allowance.
In a statement outlining its policy, the BCCI emphasized maintaining ‘professional standards and operational efficiency during tours and series’. According to the new BCCI policy, any exceptions must receive prior approval from the Chairman of the Selection Committee and the Head Coach.
“Non-compliance may lead to disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the BCCI,” the board had said.
Additionally, the BCCI retains the authority to impose sanctions, which may include barring the player from participating in BCCI-conducted tournaments, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), or deducting match fees from their contract.
India will kick off their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by a high-stakes clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23. Their final group-stage match will be against New Zealand on March 2.
