The Indian batsman advocates for a balanced approach, supporting families traveling with players for better mental well-being.
May 25, 2025: The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) guidelines restricting family access to players during overseas tours continue to face pushback from within the cricketing community. After India’s 1-3 series defeat in Australia, the BCCI released a 10-point guideline limiting the time families could spend with players on foreign tours — a move that has stirred discontent among some senior cricketers.
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Recently, Virat Kohli expressed his frustration over the guidelines, underscoring the importance of having loved ones nearby in high-pressure situations. Now, Cheteshwar Pujara has echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that families should be allowed to travel with players during extended tours.
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“I would say that families should be traveling. They should be with the players, in a window. I mean, there are times where families are there throughout the series, and as a player, you want to be at your best for practice sessions,” Pujara said in an interview with Firstpost.
Pujara added that most cricket boards worldwide manage this by allocating specific windows during long tours. “If you’re away from home for 40 days, there are three weeks where families can travel. That’s the best way to balance it out,” he explained. “Sometimes coaching staff or management feel that families can be a distraction, but that’s not necessarily true. A defined window ensures players can focus on preparation and also spend quality time with family.”
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He also highlighted that during the Champions Trophy in Dubai, players like Kohli, Jadeja, and Shami had their families with them, but outside the team hotel — paying for their stay personally rather than through the BCCI.
As India gears up for a busy season ahead, Pujara’s comments reiterate the ongoing conversation about balancing performance and mental well-being in the demanding world of international cricket.
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Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, BCCI guidelines, family travel ban, Indian cricket team, overseas tours, cricket mental health, player-family support, cricket news