Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh’s wife, Hazel Keech, has voiced her support for the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) new rule limiting the time players’ families can stay with them during tours. She believes that while extended separations can be difficult, the restriction helps cricketers maintain focus on the game.
As per the new policy, players’ immediate families—including their partners and children—can stay with them for 14 days after the first two weeks of a tour lasting over 45 days. On shorter tours, families can be present for up to a week.
Sharing her perspective, Keech told ANI, “When Yuvi was playing international cricket and moving from one tournament to another, he would be away for long periods. For families with small children, such separations were tough. But when I watched his matches, I noticed he was always concerned about me, which affected his focus. Allowing families to visit for a limited time is beneficial both ways.”
The BCCI introduced these restrictions following India’s 3-1 defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While these rules were incorporated into player contracts, they were temporarily relaxed during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing families to join players in the team bubble for mental well-being support.
Currently, the BCCI covers accommodation costs for players’ families during tours but does not bear their travel expenses. The rule aims to strike a balance between family support and maintaining players’ concentration on the field.
