“I am not talking about Virat Kohli”: Irfan Pathan issues clarification to avoid controversy
Following India’s disappointing 1-3 loss in the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced strict guidelines for centrally contracted players to ensure discipline, unity, and a positive team environment going forward. These measures are part of a broader strategy to address concerns within the Indian team after their underwhelming performance in Australia.
One key directive states that all players selected for a series or tour must stay in the same hotel as the rest of the squad. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan raised concerns about this rule, questioning how players were previously allowed to stay in different hotels. He pointed out that even some of the greatest players in Indian cricket history always stayed with the team in the same hotel.
Even the greatest players in the past stayed in the same hotels as the rest of the Indian team. How was staying in a separate hotel allowed in the first place?
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 17, 2025
Irfan Pathan took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his concerns, saying, “Even the greatest players in the past stayed in the same hotels as the rest of the Indian team. How was staying in a separate hotel allowed in the first place?” While some social media users speculated that the comment was directed at Virat Kohli, Irfan clarified, replying, “Nah, I’m not talking about Virat.”
Nah not talking about Virat.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 17, 2025
In addition to the hotel stay rule, the BCCI has enforced other guidelines to tighten discipline. Players are now prohibited from leaving practice sessions early, even after completing their individual training routines. These new rules are designed to ensure that every player contributes to the team’s overall effort.
The BCCI has also made participation in domestic cricket mandatory for centrally contracted players, a guideline that has generated discussion. Players like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant have confirmed their availability for the upcoming Ranji Trophy. However, there is uncertainty regarding the participation of senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and KL Rahul.
The BCCI’s crackdown on individualistic behavior is accompanied by strong disciplinary actions for non-compliance. Players who do not adhere to the guidelines could face sanctions, including exclusion from BCCI tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL). Any exceptions to these rules must be pre-approved by head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.These sweeping changes reflect the BCCI’s desire to restore discipline and unity within the team, hoping to avoid further setbacks in future series and competitions.
Comments are closed.