Veteran Coach Endorses BCCI's Strict Guidelines on Player Conduct During Tours
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Synopsis
Veteran coach Harish Sharma supports BCCI's new policies aimed at enforcing discipline among senior men's cricket team players, following disappointing Test series outcomes. The regulations include restrictions on family presence and personal endorsements during tours to maintain focus and performance.
Key Takeaways
- Support for BCCI's strict regulations
- Restrictions on family during tours
- Mandatory participation in BCCI events
- Importance of domestic cricket for confidence
- Discipline key to performance
Chandigarh, Jan 17 (NationPress) Veteran cricket coach Harish Sharma, who has mentored renowned players such as Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Mongia, VRV Singh, and Siddharth Kaul, has expressed his support for the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) stringent regulations aimed at reinforcing discipline within the senior men's team, following their consecutive Test series losses to New Zealand and Australia.
The new policy not only restricts the presence of players' spouses and partners during extended tours but also prohibits players from participating in personal endorsements or shoots while on tour. Moreover, players are now discouraged from leaving practice sessions prematurely, and attendance at BCCI-sanctioned events will be compulsory.
“Such restrictions should have been implemented earlier. When a player is engaged in their duties, their focus should be solely on that. I believe players shouldn't get preoccupied with family matters or photo opportunities, as our goal during tours is to secure victories on unfamiliar pitches, and distractions can hinder their performance,” Harish Sharma stated to IANS on Friday. “Diverting attention to unrelated factors can adversely affect performance,” he further noted.
Sharma also mentioned that families should only accompany players during notably lengthy tours, as anything less could disrupt their focus. “For extended tours, homesickness may arise, which justifies allowing families to visit. However, for shorter trips, such as a month, families might divert attention away from the game,” he remarked.
According to BCCI regulations, players’ partners and children under 18 may visit for a duration of two weeks per series if the players are out of India for over 45 days.
The veteran coach emphasized the value of domestic cricket for international players to build confidence. The BCCI echoed this sentiment in a document stating, “This policy ensures that players stay connected to the domestic cricket framework, promoting talent development, sustaining match readiness, and reinforcing the overall domestic structure.”
“Domestic cricket plays a crucial role. For instance, Karun Nair has excelled in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, amassing 752 runs in 7 innings, including 5 centuries. Engaging in domestic cricket significantly enhances confidence and match practice,” he added.
“Discipline is paramount; without it, players can't perform at their best. I was unaware that Gautam Gambhir was traveling with his manager during the team’s tour. If he was accompanied by his manager, where was the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit? If we adhere to such rules in domestic cricket, why not in international cricket?” he concluded.
