The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to stick to its existing policy of not allowing players to be with their families during the ongoing T20 World Cup. Team India players made the request, but the board decided not to amend the already existing guidelines for tours and major tournaments.
The BCCI had issued strict rules on family travel for overseas tours and tournaments after India’s 1-3 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in Australia. As per the official policy, players are allowed to have their families with them for up to 14 days provided the tour lasts more than 45 days.
BCCI rejects Team India players’ request to allow families during T20 World Cup 2026
According to a report in the Indian Express, the Indian team management has sought clarification from the BCCI on whether wives or fiancees of players can travel with the team and stay with them. The board rejected the request and said that family members would not be allowed to stay with the players.
According to the Indian Express, a BCCI source confirmed, “The Indian team management had approached the BCCI to ask whether wives and fiancees could travel with the team and whether they could also stay with them. The board has made it clear that the families will not be staying with the players. However, they can make separate arrangements if they wish.”
India’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign and itinerary
India began their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a 29-run win over the United States at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 7. If India reach the final on March 8, the campaign will last for just over a month, much less than the 45-day limit set by the BCCI to allow family stay.
After the initial win, the team traveled from Mumbai to Delhi and are now set to head to Sri Lanka for their group-stage match against Pakistan on February 15. They will then return to India for their final group match.
There will be a journey ahead if the Men in Blue progress to the Super 8s and knockout stages. India also played several bilateral series before the World Cup, during which families were not allowed to be with the team.
BCCI tightens travel, family and selection rules
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has implemented strict arrangements regarding travel and daily routine of players during the tournament. The squad will travel using private charter flights, while private chefs have been arranged in nearby hotels to prepare meals and send them to the team.
After the COVID-19 period, Indian players were allowed to be with their families throughout the overseas tours. This changed after the loss to Australia, when the support staff reported that some players missed internal meetings and planning sessions because they chose to be with their partners or children.
As a result, the BCCI amended its policy in January 2025, allowing families to stay with players for a maximum of 14 days if a tour lasts more than 45 days. The board has also made domestic cricket mandatory for centrally contracted players who want to remain in contention for national selection.
Also read: Pakistan-origin cricketer from USA, along with two others, ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026
