'India didn’t lose because wives and partners were there' - Harbhajan Singh questions BCCI's 10-point guideline

Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has voiced his concerns over the BCCI's (Board of Control for Cricket in India) recently introduced 10-point guideline for the Indian team. Harbhajan mentioned that these policies, although branded as new, have been in place since his playing days. 

Following India’s 1-3 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, the apex Indian cricket governing board introduced a series of measures to encourage discipline. The guidelines include mandatory domestic cricket participation, restrictions on family travel, personal staff, commercial endorsements during a series, and baggage allowances. The measures were a result of a review meeting involving head coach Rahul Dravid, captain Rohit Sharma, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. Speaking about the guidelines, Harbhajan pointed out that most of the points outlined were not new. 

“When I was reading the travel policy document reported by the media, I hardly found anything new from the last time I represented India as a centrally-contracted cricketer. At least nine out of 10 points, including duration of family visits, staying in same hotel, practice timings, all are same. My question is if these rules were in place during my time, who all have altered it and when? That should be probed,” Harbhajan said as quoted by the Indian Express.

Only change I see is 150 kg suitcase allowance: Harbhajan Singh

The former spinner dismissed the rule regarding the family visits or personal arrangements were the reasons behind India’s defeats. Reflecting on his playing days, Harbhajan reflected on the discipline of players like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, and Anil Kumble. In fact he even mentioned that these former Indian legends never left the team even if a match was finished earlier than expected.

Also Read: BCCI’s Bold 10-Point Policy: Team India’s new rules - No endorsements, no private travel and more

"We are deviating from the main issue). We didn’t lose 1-3 because wives and partners were there for two months. We didn’t lose because someone travelled separately.We lost because we have played very poor cricket at times. We didn’t bat well even at home. We have players who are horribly out of form. What are the course corrections being made? Or is it just these off-the-field things being discussed?” he added.

"I think some of the points needed to be revisited because they were being flouted. Like in our times, I never saw a Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid or Anil Kumble leave for Mumbai, Kolkata or Bengaluru just because the match has ended in three days and next game is a week away. They all stayed and travelled to next destination. Only change I see (in the new rulebook) is 150 kg suitcase allowance. Back in the day, we used to have lesser,” Harbhajan concluded.