BCCI Official Confirms Families Won’t Travel with Team India for Champions Trophy

After a disappointing 3-1 loss in the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the BCCI has introduced some new travel rules. For the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy in the UAE, Indian men's cricket players will have to travel without their families. Going forward, families will only be allowed on tours that last more than 45 days, and even then, they can only stay for two weeks out of every 45 days on tour.

The 2025 Champions Trophy kicks off on February 19, with India taking on Bangladesh in their first match the very next day. Thanks to a new hybrid arrangement between the cricket boards, all of India’s games will be held in the United Arab Emirates, while the rest of the tournament will continue in Pakistan, the main host nation.

"If anything changes then it is different but as of now, the players are unlikely to be accompanied by their wives or partners for this tour. One of the senior players had enquired about it and he was told that the policy decision will be followed," a senior BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

"Since the tour is of less than one month, families won't be accompanying the players. But if exceptions are made, I think that individual will have to bear the full expenses as BCCI won't be covering any cost," he added.

BCCI's Family Travel Policy for Overseas Tours

According to the BCCI policy document, players on overseas tours lasting more than 45 days can have their partners and children (under 18) join them for one visit per series, limited to a two-week stay. Any exceptions to this rule require prior approval from the coach, captain, and GM of Operations. The BCCI will not cover any additional expenses beyond the designated visitor period.

According to the source, families will be allowed to accompany the squad during their five-Test tour of England, scheduled for June through August after the 2025 Indian Premier League. Details about the specific two-week window for their stay will be worked out closer to the tour date. Additionally, most of the other regulations from the directive have already been put into effect, including a requirement for mandatory domestic cricket participation and that the team must travel together to matches.