“Not a Holiday!” – Gautam Gambhir and Ravi Shastri React Strongly to BCCI’s New Player Rules

BCCI’s New Guidelines Stir Debate: Ravi Shastri and Gambhir Weigh In

After India lost 3-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the BCCI [Board of Control for Cricket in India] announced a new stringent set of guidelines for players. The new rules that limit family members’ stay periods and limit the number of personal staff accompanying cricketers on international tours, have been widely debated within the cricketing community.

Ravi Shastri’s Take: “I Wouldn’t Have Mined a Chef”

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri offered a humorous yet insightful take on the new policy. Speaking on The Grade Cricketer podcast ahead of the first ODI between India and Australia, Shastri remarked that during his tenure, no one brought personal chefs — but admitted he wouldn’t have minded one.

“I don’t remember anyone coming in with a chef in my time because that chef would have been very busy with me,” joked Shastri. “I wouldn’t have minded one or two, because then at least the cuisine could have been different with a glass of red. You don’t have to go to room service all the time.”

However, he added a serious note about discipline and focus, emphasizing that fewer distractions lead to better performance.

“After a while on tours, you want to minimize things. When there are too many people around, you tend to get distracted,” he said.

Shastri further praised Gautam Gambhir for bringing structure to the team environment, suggesting that the new head coach is determined to maintain focus and discipline within the dressing room.

“He (Gambhir) must have seen it’s getting out of hand. So he just put a limit on what can be done and what cannot be done,” Shastri explained.

The former coach also hailed Shubman Gill as a long-term leader for Indian cricket:

“The good thing for him (Gambhir) is that he has got a captain who is stable, composed, and calm. Gill is the man for the next decade for India.”

Gautam Gambhir: “You Are Here for a Purpose, Not a Holiday”

Speaking ahead of the Lord’s Test in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir strongly defended the BCCI’s decision. In a candid chat with Cheteshwar Pujara, Gambhir stressed that representing India is a privilege that demands complete focus and sacrifice.

“Families are important, but you’ve got to understand one thing — you are here for a purpose. It’s not a holiday. You’re here for a huge purpose,” said Gambhir.

He highlighted that only a few players get the honor of wearing the Indian jersey, and that such opportunities require undivided attention.

“You’ve got very few people in that dressing room that get this opportunity to make the country proud,” he added. “I’m not against having families with us, but if your focus is towards making our country proud and you have a much bigger role, then that goal becomes your top priority.”

Gambhir concluded by reiterating that commitment to national duty outweighs personal comfort, signaling a no-nonsense approach to team discipline.

“For me, that cause and that goal is more important than any other thing,” Gambhir said.

It looks like the BCCI and Gambhir are serious about performance and prep with these new rules. Family is important, sure, but this move shows they want to put being professional first when the team is touring.

This might seem tough, but like Gambhir and Shastri said, focusing more on the game could be just what Team India needs after not doing so hot overseas lately.