Virat Kohli backs family presence on India tours after BCCI’s new policy: ‘People who have no control…’

Veteran Indian batsman Virat Kohli has spoken about the importance of family during India's foreign tours, emphasizing the need to maintain normalcy in difficult situations. Kohli's latest comments come soon after the BCCI issued a directive - following India's 3-1 defeat in Australia - restricting the amount of time players can spend with their families.

As per the latest rules, players' immediate family members, i.e. their wife and children, are allowed to join them for only two weeks on foreign tours of over 45 days. Family members are now only allowed to accompany players for one week on shorter tours.

Virat Kohli on the importance of family in foreign tours:

Speaking at the RCB Innovational Lab Indian Sports Summit, Kohli said (as quoted by ESPNcricinfo), “It's very difficult to explain to people how grounding it is to just come back to your family every time you have something which is intense, which happens on the outside,”

"I don't think people have an understanding of what value it brings to a large extent. And I feel quite disappointed about that because it's like people who have no control over what's going on are kind of brought into conversations and put out at the forefront that, 'oh, maybe they need to be kept away.''" the veteran cricketer added.

Kohli went on to espouse the value of normalcy provided by having their family around, he said, "If you ask any player, do you want your family to be around you all the time? You'll be like, yes. I don't want to go to my room and just sit alone and sulk…I want to be able to be normal. And then you can really treat your game as something that is a responsibility. You finish that responsibility, and you come back to life.

What happens if players do not follow BCCI policy?

BCCI had unveiled a 10-point policy to promote "discipline and unity" in the Indian cricket team after the loss against Australia earlier in the year.

Non-compliance to the rules would invite sanctions, including cuts in their retainer fee from central contracts and a bar on participating in the cash-rich Indian Premier League.

Virat Kohli on importance of Anushka Sharma:

In a post after winning the 20 over World Cup last year, Kohli had attributed his success to wife Anushka Sharma.

“None of this would remotely be possible without you my love. You keep me humble, grounded and you always say it how it is with absolute honesty. I couldn’t be more grateful for you. This victory is as much yours as it’s mine.” Kohli wrote in his Instagram post.