T20 World Cup 2026: BCCI sticks to policy, bars players from staying with families during tournament

PTC News Desk: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided not to allow players to stay with their families during the T20 World Cup. The board has chosen to continue with a policy introduced after India’s 1-3 defeat to Australia in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. 

According to a report, the current team management sought clarification from the BCCI on the matter but was told that the rule would remain in place.

Under the existing policy, players can have their families accompany them for up to 14 days only if an overseas tour lasts longer than 45 days. The T20 World Cup began on February 7, with India winning their first match against the USA at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, where Suryakumar Yadav played a key role. India will play three group matches at home before facing Pakistan in Colombo on February 15. During the bilateral series leading up to the tournament, families were also not allowed to stay with the players.

A BCCI source stated that the team management had asked whether players’ wives or fiancées could travel and stay with them, but the board made it clear that families would not be permitted to stay with the team, though they could make their own separate arrangements. The report also mentioned that the Indian team will travel via private charter flights during the tournament. While players have brought along personal chefs, they have been accommodated in nearby hotels, from where they prepare and send meals to the players.

Following the COVID-19 period, Indian players had been allowed to stay with their families during overseas tours. However, the defeat against Australia prompted a review after support staff reported that some players missed team meetings and planning sessions because they spent time with their families. As a result, in January 2025, the BCCI reintroduced stricter rules limiting family stays to 14 days on tours lasting more than 45 days.