Aakash Chopra reveals real reason behind BCCI’s new travel rules for Indian players

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has opened up on the recent rules and regulations imposed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the travel of Indian players with the team.

Chopra feels that the rules might have broken which forced the BCCI to impose stricter restrictions. According to the rules, the players are required to travel with the team instead of going separately to and from the ground.

The rules have been imposed after India's recent Test series defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. After the loss, the BCCI conducted a review meeting with some of the top officials present along with the captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and the chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.

Also read: 'Sachin Tendulkar didn't have personal bodyguard traveling': Sanjay Manjrekar's strong take on BCCI guidelines

Aakash Chopra breaks silence on BCCI's traveling rules

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra argued the necessity of these guidelines and predicted misuse in the past. Chopra was surprised as he believes that these rules were in place before as well.

"Players cannot travel separately with families. All players are expected to travel with the team to and from matches and practice sessions. I am extremely surprised by this rule. Going for practice or the match is with the team only," Chopra said.

"This has been happening forever. If someone wants to practice more, they request the coach. But has someone been leaving early? Some abuse must have happened; that's why this rule is being enforced," he added.

Aakash Chopra on Yashasvi Jaiswal's recent break of rules

Aakash Chopra recounted a recent incident in which the opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was punished for being late for the team bus. However, he slammed the players for not traveling with the team and going individually.

"I am pretty sure everyone wouldn't have been flouting the rule. Yashasvi Jaiswal couldn't reach recently, and he got punished for being late. That's a different story," Aakash Chopra observed.

"If someone claims they don't need to travel with the team because they're staying elsewhere or it's their city, then whoever permitted this should be called out," the former India opener added.

What are the new rules?

According to the new rule, the players are required to travel with the team in the team bus. No player will be allowed to travel separately even if he is playing in his home city. If a player intends to travel separately, he will have to get the required permission from the head coach Gautam Gambhir, and the chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.

There are also rules on the availability of players' families on long tours. If the tour is of 45 days or more, the families will be allowed to stay with the respective player for not more than 14 days. The family cannot be there with the family for the first two weeks.

The rules come in the aftermath of India's recent Test series defeats to New Zealand and Australia. The Men in Blue suffered a shocking Test series defeat at home 0-3 and then lost 1-3 to Australia in an away series to bow out of the race for the World Test Championship Final.