‘Wives Don’t Know Much About Cricket’: Yograj Singh Supports BCCI’s New Diktat – News18

Last Updated:January 18, 2025, 19:44 IST

Yograj Singh has supported the BCCI’s reported rules which restrict Indian cricketers’ partners’ time with them on tours.

Former India cricketer Yograj Singh has backed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s reported new rules for men’s cricketers, including restrictions on family members and partners accompanying them on tours.

According to these new terms according to BCCI’s official mail — which is now widely available on social media — wives and family members can stay with the players for only 14 days on a 45-day tour.  The rules also make domestic cricket participation mandatory, advise players to not miss practice sessions, bar them from engaging in personal media shoots, and so on.

“When one is traveling with the team, what is the point of traveling with your family?” Yograj said in an interview with IANS. “It shakes your focus. You can do whatever once you retire but when you’re playing for your country then carrying your chefs and all adds an extra burden. Wives don’t really know much about cricket, why would you want your kids and wife with you? When you’re playing, the team is your family, I don’t think it is needed. I am against it.”

Yograj also gave his opinion on India’s squad selection for the 2025 Champions Trophy, which was announced by chief selector Ajit Agarkar and skipper Rohit Sharma on Saturday. The Punjabi coach reserved special mentions for two players from his state — Shubman Gill, who he felt was a future India captain, and Abhishek Sharma, who he thought deserved a chance in the team.

“I am very happy, I want to congratulate the selectors and the BCCI,” The people who have played cricket are the ones who have selected the team. They have retained the correct players, Rohit will be captaining the side and Shubman Gill will be the vice-captain because he will be leading in the future.

“This is the correct way of going about things, we should back and support players who are going through a rough patch. I will say that Abhishek Sharma should have also been in the team as he is going to be a big player in the future and this is a great opportunity for him to learn,” he said.

India’s 2025 Champions Trophy campaign begins on February 20 against Bangladesh.