Saba Karim Comments On BCCI’s Rule Limiting Family Time During Overseas Tours

March 28, 2025: Former BCCI national selector Saba Karim recently shared his thoughts on the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) rule regarding players’ families during overseas tours, stating that it is crucial for the board and the players to strike the “right balance.”

The BCCI’s policy limits the time players can spend with their families while touring abroad. On tours lasting over 45 days, players’ immediate families, including spouses and children, are permitted to join them for 14 days after the first two weeks. For shorter tours, family time is capped at one week. Although this rule has been in place for several years, it has faced some criticism from players, who feel it restricts their time with loved ones.

Saba Karim weighed in on the issue, acknowledging that it is essential for players to spend time with their families. However, he emphasized the need for balance. He stated, “Every player has a different mindset. The BCCI has made some rules which have been followed for many years. In between, they were not followed properly. I think players and BCCI need to find a balance. It is necessary for players to be with family. I hope the BCCI and players will find the right balance.”

The debate about family time during tours was recently brought to the forefront by Virat Kohli, who expressed his desire to have his family accompany him during overseas tours. Kohli stated that every player would prefer having their family with them and highlighted the importance of balancing their personal and professional life. He further added, “I want to be able to be normal. And then you can really treat your game as something that is a responsibility. You finish that responsibility, and you come back to life.”

Meanwhile, Saba Karim also spoke about the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), anticipating that new talent will rise to prominence in the 18th edition of the tournament. He pointed out players like Ashutosh Sharma, Vignesh Puthur, and Vipraj Nigam, who have already impressed with their performances, and expressed excitement for what’s to come. “We will see many more this season. It is just the beginning. I think this is going to be the most explosive season ever. Season 18 will find many new stars. They will create memories that we will cherish forever,” he said.

As the IPL continues to grow, Karim’s comments suggest that fans can expect an exciting season with a fresh wave of talent making an impact on the game.