BCCI allows Indian WAGs to accompany the team on overseas tours but with a condition

After Virat Kohli asked that the WAGs (Wives and Girlfriends) must be allowed to accompany the team for the entire course of the overseas tour, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has finally agreed upon the skipper’s plea. In the recent meeting with the Committee of Administrators (CoA) involving head coach Ravi Shastri, Rohit Sharma, and Ajinkya Rahane, Kohli made a point to bring an amendment in the rule.

On Team India’s previous tour to England, the board permitted the cricketers to be with their family for not more than 2 weeks on the entire tour that included 3 T20Is, 3 ODIs and 5 Tests played from June-September. However, on Virat’s request asking for a change in the stance, the BCCI has finally agreed and altered it.

WAGs can join the team only after ten days

As per the latest changes made to the norm, WAGs are allowed to stay for the full course of the campaign, barring the first 10 days. The board was reluctant and had a belief that it would create a distraction for the players and affect their game on tough overseas tours. However, upon the team’s insistence, CoA made a decision to permit the wives and girlfriends of cricketers, coaches and support staff to accompany them on tours outside India.

The skipper, as well as the team, management feels that having their loved ones along provides a positive atmosphere for the players and allows them to relax better in such tense tours.

Even Cricket Australia in 2015, brought took this into consideration as the wives and girlfriends of the players and the support staff were allowed to accompany the team. Though CEO James Sutherland had to later face the brunt as Australia faced a hammering in Ashes 2015 in England.

Gambhir lends his support

Even veteran Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has come out in support of this. He feels it is a personal decision for every player until it disrupts his form on the field.

“It depends on individuals and players to decide if they want wives for the entire tour or no. If they are performing well, then nothing should stop them,” said the left-handed batsman,” Gambhir had said.

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