Key Points

Saba Karim emphasizes the need for balance between player focus and family time during overseas tours. Virat Kohli openly supports having families around, calling it essential for mental well-being. The BCCI's current rules limit family stays to 14 days on extended tours. Meanwhile, Karim predicts IPL 2024 will unveil new cricketing talents.

Key Points: Saba Karim Urges BCCI Players to Balance Family Time on Tours

  • BCCI restricts family stays to 14 days on long tours
  • Players like Kohli advocate for more family time
  • Saba Karim calls for balance between focus and family
  • IPL 2024 expected to showcase emerging talents
3 min read

Players, BCCI need to find balance: Saba Karim gives his take on reduction of family time during overseas tour

Former selector Saba Karim weighs in on BCCI's family stay rules, advocating balance amid player concerns, while Virat Kohli voices support for family presence.

"Players and BCCI need to find a balance. It is necessary for players to be with family. – Saba Karim"

By Vivek Prabhakar Singh, New Delhi, March 28

Former BCCI national selector Saba Karim weighed in on the board's SOP, which relates to the significant reduction in a player's time with family during overseas tours. He firmly believes that BCCI and players should strike the "right balance."

The Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) rule limits the time players' families can stay with them during tours. While prolonged separation can be challenging for families, restricting their presence to a certain period helps players focus on the game.

According to the rule, players' immediate families, including their partners and children, can stay with them for 14 days after the first two weeks of a tour lasting over 45 days. On shorter tours, players can be accompanied by their families for up to a week.

Recent reports have suggested that players are not content with the rule. Saba Karim acknowledged that it is important for players to be with their families. However, he also believes there should be a right balance.

"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," Saba told ANI.

Recently, India stalwart Virat Kohli voiced his opinion that every player from the Indian team would want to have their family around and spend time with them during overseas tours.

"I do not think people have an understanding of what value it brings to a large extent. And I feel quite disappointed about that because it is like people who have no control over what is going on are kind of brought into conversations and put out at the forefront that, 'oh, maybe they need to be kept away'," Virat said at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit.

"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. Like, there could be different situations happening in your life all the time. And that allows you to be absolutely normal. Not in a vague sense, but in a very real way that you finish your commitment, your responsibility, and then you come back to your house, you are with family," he added.

Saba went on to discuss the ongoing Indian Premier League. He expects new talent to emerge in the 18th edition of the cash-rich league, considering the likes of Ashutosh Sharma, Vignesh Puthur, and Vipraj Nigam grabbing the spotlight with their dazzling performances.

"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 added.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Completely agree with Virat here. These players are away from home for months - having family around keeps them mentally strong. The current rules seem too restrictive. 🏏
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Priya M.
While I understand players' need for family time, we can't ignore that cricket is their job. Most professionals don't get to bring families on business trips. Maybe a compromise with slightly longer family stays?
A
Ankit S.
Saba Karim's balanced view makes sense. Too much family time might affect focus, but zero family time affects mental health. Hope they find that sweet spot! Excited for IPL too - new talents are always fun to watch.
S
Sanjana P.
The emotional toll of being away from family is real. These athletes perform best when they're happy and balanced. Maybe BCCI could be more flexible based on individual needs? 🤔
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Vikram J.
Respectfully disagree with Kohli's stance. When you're representing the country, cricket should be the sole focus. The current 14-day rule seems fair - it's already more than most jobs allow during work trips.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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