Harbhajan Singh Criticizes BCCI’s 10-Point Guideline on Wives and Partners’ Presence

Er Mukesh Singh

Harbhajan Singh expressed disappointment, saying he found little change since his last stint as a centrally contracted cricketer.

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has raised concerns over the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) recently introduced 10-point guideline, suggesting that many of the policies are not new but have been around since his playing days. Harbhajan’s remarks come after India’s disappointing 1-3 defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which led the BCCI to implement a set of measures aimed at instilling discipline within the team.

The 10-point guideline introduced by the BCCI covers various aspects, such as mandatory participation in domestic cricket, restrictions on family travel during series, limits on personal staff accompanying players, bans on commercial endorsements during international series, and baggage allowance constraints. These measures were introduced following a review meeting between head coach Rahul Dravid, captain Rohit Sharma, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

However, Harbhajan Singh has questioned the relevance of these measures, as he believes that they echo policies that were already in place during his time as a centrally contracted cricketer. “I hardly found anything new from the last time I represented India as a centrally contracted cricketer,” Harbhajan remarked, pointing out that the guidelines had been part of the system even when he played for the national team.

He further clarified that the presence of family members or personal staff was never an issue for performance, implying that the problem lies elsewhere and cannot be solely attributed to such factors. Harbhajan’s comments raise questions about the necessity and effectiveness of these guidelines in bringing about significant changes to the Indian cricket team’s approach.

Harbhajan Singh has expressed his concerns over the recent 10-point travel guideline introduced by the BCCI for the Indian cricket team, suggesting that the policies outlined were nothing new and had been in place during his time as a centrally contracted cricketer. Speaking to the media, Harbhajan pointed out that nine out of the ten points in the document, including rules regarding family visits, staying in the same hotel, and practice timings, were the same as when he represented India.

He raised a critical question, asking, “If these rules were in place during my time, who all have altered it and when? That should be probed,” highlighting the need for an inquiry into any changes made to the existing policies. His comments were reported by the Indian Express, and they call for greater transparency and accountability regarding the travel and conduct guidelines for the Indian cricket team.

Only change I see is 150 kg suitcase allowance: Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh dismissed the idea that family visits or personal arrangements were the reasons behind India’s recent defeats. Reflecting on his own playing days, he pointed out the discipline and commitment displayed by legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, and Anil Kumble. Harbhajan highlighted that these players never left the team, even if a match ended earlier than anticipated, stressing that their focus and dedication were key to the team’s success.

His comments challenge the notion that off-field factors like family involvement could be blamed for poor performance, instead emphasizing the importance of on-field discipline and commitment.

Harbhajan Singh further emphasized that the Indian team’s loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was not due to off-field factors such as family visits or personal travel arrangements. He stressed, “We didn’t lose 1-3 because wives and partners were there for two months. We didn’t lose because someone travelled separately. We lost because we have played very poor cricket at times. We didn’t bat well, even at home. We have players who are horribly out of form.” He questioned the focus on off-field issues, asking, “What are the course corrections being made? Or is it just these off-the-field things being discussed?”

Reflecting on the past, Harbhajan noted, “In our times, I never saw a Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, or Anil Kumble leave for Mumbai, Kolkata, or Bengaluru just because the match ended in three days and the next game was a week away. They all stayed and travelled to the next destination.” He also pointed out that the only notable change in the new guidelines is the 150 kg suitcase allowance, a significant increase compared to the past.

Courtesy: Harbhajan Turbanator Singh

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