T20 World Cup 2026: ‘Can make separate arrangements, if they want to’ - BCCI stands firm on ‘No Family’ policy for Indian players
At the heart of the issue is the BCCI’s recently modified travel and support-staff policy, which typically restricts family members from joining the team on tours.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly rejected a request from the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian unit to allow players' families to accompany them during the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The global event is currently underway across India and Sri Lanka, with the defending champions competing in Group A, where teams like Pakistan, Namibia, the USA and the Netherlands are also present.
The Men in Blue opened their campaign with a win over the USA at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. At the heart of the issue is the BCCI’s recently modified travel and support-staff policy, which typically restricts family members from joining the team on tours; they are only allowed to stay with the team for two weeks if the tour is over 45 days.
The board’s stance is aimed at keeping players focused and ensuring operational clarity amidst a packed tournament schedule.
“The Indian team management had approached the BCCI to ask whether wives and fiancées can travel with the team and whether they can also stay with them. The board has made it clear that families won’t be staying with the players. They can make separate arrangements, though, if they want to,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
The source also clarified the board’s interpretation of its own directives, adding that any player seeking an exception would have to bear the cost of sending family members independently, as the BCCI will not be covering those expenses.
Suryakumar & Co., after playing their first two matches in India, will travel to Colombo, Sri Lanka, for the much-anticipated clash against Pakistan on February 15.
IND vs PAK clash to go ahead as planned on February 15
India to take on Namibia next
The Indian team will be going up against Namibia in their second group-stage encounter of the competition on Thursday, February 12, at New Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium. After a surprisingly tough outing against the Americans, the No. 1 ranked T20I team will want to bring up their A-game in their encounter.
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