“It Helps Players Stay Focused..”: Hazel Keech Backs BCCI’s Family Time Rule

March 22, 2025: Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh’s wife, Hazel Keech, recently spoke about the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) new rule that limits the time players’ families can spend with them during tours. Hazel, who has been a part of the cricketing world through her marriage to Yuvraj, expressed her understanding of the rule, acknowledging that while prolonged separation can be difficult for families, limiting their stay can actually help players maintain their focus on the game.

Under the new BCCI regulations, players’ immediate families, including their partners and children, can accompany them for up to 14 days after the first two weeks of any tour that lasts more than 45 days. On shorter tours, the time limit for families is capped at one week.

Hazel shared her thoughts, explaining how challenging it was when Yuvraj, during his international cricket career, had to be away from family for long periods of time. “I can understand when Yuvi was playing international cricket, moving from one tournament to another, and he would be away for a long time. For families with small children, it was difficult to be apart for so long. But when I used to watch his matches, Yuvi would always be concerned about me, which affected his focus on the game,” she said. She believes that the new regulation of having families visit for a limited time is beneficial for both players and their families.

The BCCI introduced these restrictions after India’s 3-1 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The board included the guidelines in player contracts, though they were relaxed temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic when players’ families were allowed to join them in the bio-secure bubbles to support their mental health.

In line with the new rules, the BCCI covers the accommodation costs for players’ families during tours, though travel expenses are not included.