The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently issued a 10-point guideline for centrally contracted players, touching on key aspects such as mandatory domestic cricket participation, restrictions on family travel, and curbs on personal staff accompanying players during tours. The move comes after India’s disappointing 1-3 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, sparking introspection within the cricketing fraternity.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed concerns over the evolving culture in Indian cricket, comparing it to the glitzy world of mainstream Bollywood. He highlighted the contrast between current practices and the ethos of earlier generations, particularly when players like Sachin Tendulkar dominated the sport.
A Reaction to Poor Performance
Manjrekar believes that such reforms shouldn’t only be triggered by failures like the series loss to Australia. Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, he said, “It feels reactionary to suddenly focus on team culture after a disappointing series. These things should be part of the system irrespective of results.”
Reflecting on the team culture during his playing days, Manjrekar noted that simpler norms, such as sharing rooms and limiting family involvement to the end of tours, helped foster unity.
Tendulkar: A Symbol of Simplicity
Citing the example of Sachin Tendulkar, Manjrekar emphasized how the cricket legend managed to maintain humility despite being a global superstar. “Tendulkar was a massive star during our era, but he always traveled with the team and didn’t have a personal bodyguard. The team itself provided ample security,” he said.
Manjrekar added that modern cricket’s reliance on personalized setups, including personal chefs and bodyguards, reflects a shift toward individualism reminiscent of Bollywood culture. He urged a return to the sport’s core values.
Families on Tour: A Distraction?
Manjrekar also expressed reservations about players having families on shorter tours. He acknowledged that players now have the option of periodic breaks to spend time with loved ones, which wasn’t always the case in the past.
“I firmly believe players perform better when they’re on their own during high-pressure situations. While the argument for family presence during long tours may have merit, frequent breaks have changed the dynamics. It’s better for the team environment and bonding if families aren’t always present,” he remarked.
A Call to Preserve Cricket’s Essence
In conclusion, Manjrekar emphasized the need for Indian cricket to prioritize its sporting roots over celebrity culture. “Cricket must remain a sport above all. I hope these changes will help restore the values that made Indian cricket what it is today,” he said.
The BCCI’s recent guidelines aim to address these concerns, striving for a balance between individual comfort and team harmony. Whether this marks a step toward the old ethos or an evolution of the modern game remains to be seen.
