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With the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 just a few hours away from start, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has relaxed one of the key rules from their 10-point diktat, which came into existence after Team India’s 1-3 drubbing against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. It is to be noted that as per the guidelines issued by the BCCI, the members of the Indian team along with support staff were denied the company of their families on tours.
But as per the recent update, the Indian cricket board has relaxed some of its pointers, leading to allow families in the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy, which is set to commence from Wednesday, February 19. As per a report in Dainik Jagran, the BCCI has mellowed a bit and is mulling to allow the family members of the Indian cricketing stars for at least one match, but with prior permission.
BCCI allows families to attend one match in Champions Trophy 2025 but on one condition: Reports
A source close to the developments informed, as quoted by India Today, "While the focus remains on team bonding and ensuring players are together without any distractions, the BCCI has decided to allow cricketers to take their family members (parents or wives) to one match during the Champions Trophy. However, this is allowed only after prior permission is sought from the board. Players will have to inform the BCCI about the match they wish to have their family attend, and permission will be granted accordingly."
Notably, the gesture from the board comes reportedly after a senior player did enquire if the families could be allowed as an exception for the marquee tournament. The source further added that if the family is permitted, the player will have to bear the expenses and not the BCCI. “One of the senior players had enquired about it and he was told that the policy decision will be followed," the BCCI source was quoted as saying.
Speaking of the tournament, Rohit Sharma-led Team India is placed in Group A, alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand. The Men in Blue will kick off their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by a much-anticipated match against Pakistan (February 23) and New Zealand (March 2). Notably, India will play all their matches in Dubai, including the semi-final and final, if they qualify.
