‘Very important to have…’: Suresh Raina slams BCCI over family orders in Overseas tours

Following India’s 1-3 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made some strict rule change. There was a 10-point guideline released by the cricketing body, which put restrictions on the time that the players were allowed to spend with their families durn g foreign tour.

This step by the BCCI had both negative and positive reactions from the players and supporters. Recently, while speaking to Ranveer Allahbadia on his YouTube channel, former Indian batter Suresh Raina has also shared his views on this issue- relating it to the mental health of the players.

“You do have mental health issues. When you are going through a lean phase and there’s an army gunning for your spot, then such issues crop up. You fear being dropped. When chips are down you need someone to talk to,” Raina said.

“When you’re happy, you seldom need anyone. But when you’re down, you fear talking thinking this may end up reaching the coach or the captain,” he said. “So out of hesitation, players don’t speak out,” he added.

“It is very important to have family on tours. BCCI has taken a big decision that family is not allowed – I’m against this. You are sending them to a tour for two months…family should be allowed. It’s not that they (family) are against the players, they (also) would want us to score runs and the country to win. (Imagine) Virat Kohli playing, his daughter clapping – it’s such a proud moment. He will set the stage on fire,” said Rania.