Virat Kohli vs BCCI war erupts as India great rebels against controversial family diktat
Published - 16 Mar 2025, 10:36 AM | Updated - 16 Mar 2025, 10:37 AM
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Virat Kohli has once again sparked a debate on the BCCI’s recent tough decision on players, as he emphasized the importance of having families accompany players on tours. Virat Kohli strongly believes that having loved ones around can provide much-needed emotional support to the players, especially during tough times on the field.
The Indian batting icon has emphasized how returning to the family after a demanding day on the field creates a sense of balance that no other support system can provide. He pointed out that many fail to understand the immense value this brings to players, allowing them to separate their personal lives from the pressures of professional cricket.
Virat Kohli sparks debate on BCCI’s tough family policy for players
Kohli firmly dismissed the notion that keeping families away from the players is a solution for better focus while explaining how the presence of loved ones actually fosters a stable and positive mindset. He believes that family time is not a distraction but a crucial part of a cricketer’s well-being, as it helps them to stay mentally strong and approach their game with a clear mind.
Virat Kohli said during the RCB Innovational Lab Indian Sports Summit, “It's very difficult to explain to people how grounding it is to just come back to your family every time you have something that is intense, which happens on the outside.”
The batting icon further added, “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’.”
I don't want to go to my room and just sit alone and sulk: Virat Kohli
His comments were a direct attack on the BCCI's new policy that limits family stays with the family for the tours. After India’s recent 3-1 Test series defeat in Australia, the BCCI made it mandatory that families could only join the players after the first two weeks on long tours, and they can stay with them for up to two weeks if the series or tournament lasts more than 45 days.
For shorter overseas tours, the timeframe is seven days. However, the former Indian skipper said that family time is non-negotiable. Kohli further explained, “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.”
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He added, “And then you can really treat your game as something that is a responsibility. You finish that responsibility, and you come back to life. For me, that is absolutely a day of immense pleasure. And I won't miss any opportunities to go out and spend time with my family whenever I can.”
Virat Kohli says his competitiveness has not gone down at all
Speaking about his on-field persona, Kohli said that things are happening naturally with him, as he emphasized that his competitive spirit remains as strong as ever. However, Virat’s outward aggression has gradually toned down, but his intensity and drive to win have not faltered.
The Indian cricket superstar believes that true aggression comes from within and doesn’t always need to be expressed through visible reactions. Kohli also admitted his occasional outbursts, but he is mindful of them and strives to channel his energy more effectively on the field.
