After Virat Kohli expressed his dissatisfaction with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over a recent policy restricting the time families can spend with players during overseas tours, former Indian captain Kapil Dev has weighed in on the matter, offering his support to the star batter.

BCCI’s Recent Family Time Restrictions

The controversy started after the BCCI issued a strict 10-point diktat following India’s loss in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. One of the key points in this diktat was a restriction on families accompanying players on long tours. According to the new rule, families can only stay with players for two weeks during tours lasting more than 45 days. This rule was first enforced during the 2025 Champions Trophy, where players did not have their families with them when they traveled to Dubai for the tournament. However, several players, including Kohli, had their partners or parents attend the final.

Virat Kohli's Disappointment

Virat Kohli did not hold back when addressing the issue, emphasizing the importance of family support during intense international tours. Speaking at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, Kohli expressed his disappointment that people fail to understand the significance of having family around during demanding times. He stated, “It is very difficult to explain to people how grounding it is to come back to your family every time you have something intense happening on the outside. I don’t think people have an understanding of what value it brings. I feel quite disappointed about that. People who have no control over what is going on are kind of brought into conversations and put out in the forefront. Maybe they need to be kept away.”

Kapil Dev Backs Kohli

Kapil Dev, the legendary former Indian captain and the hero of India’s 1983 World Cup win, has voiced his support for Kohli’s perspective. Speaking at the Kapil Dev Grant Thornton Invitational event, Kapil emphasized the importance of a balanced approach to the issue. He recalled how, during his playing days, the team used to approach such matters with a sense of mutual understanding, rather than imposing rigid rules.

He shared, “Well, I don’t know, that’s individual. I think it’s the cricket board’s call. My view is, yes, you need family. But you also need a team, all the time. In our time, we used to say to ourselves, not by the cricket board, that the first half of the tour should be cricket, and in the second half, the family should come and enjoy it too. It should be a blend."

A Balanced Approach to Family Time

Kapil's comments suggest that a middle ground can be found, where players can focus on their game during the early part of the tour and then have their families join them later on. He acknowledged that while family support is important, the team’s unity and togetherness also play a vital role in a cricketer’s performance.

The debate over family time during long tours highlights the ongoing conversation about mental well-being and work-life balance for professional athletes. While the BCCI has set new regulations, both Virat Kohli and Kapil Dev agree that finding a balance between family support and team focus is essential for a cricketer's success and well-being. As discussions continue, it will be interesting to see if the BCCI revises its stance on this issue, taking into account the views of players and the need for a more flexible approach.