World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev has shared his views on the ongoing debate about cricketers traveling with their families during tours. He believes that while family presence is important, there should be a balanced approach.
BCCI’s New Rules on Family Travel
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently introduced new rules regarding family travel. According to the new policy:
- On tours lasting more than 45 days, players’ families can only stay for 14 days.
- On shorter tours, players’ families can accompany them for a maximum of one week.
These rules were implemented after India suffered heavy defeats, including a whitewash against New Zealand at home and a 1-3 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Kapil Dev’s Opinion
Kapil Dev, speaking at the launch of the third edition of the Kapil Dev Grant Thornton Invitational golf tournament, said the decision ultimately rests with the cricket board. However, he believes both family and team bonding are important.
“In our time, we used to follow an unwritten rule where the first half of the tour was dedicated to cricket, and the second half was when our families joined us. There should be a balance,” he said.
Virat Kohli’s Disappointment
Former captain Virat Kohli expressed his frustration with the new rule. Speaking at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, he emphasized how crucial family support is for players.
“It is grounding to come back to your family after an intense match,” Kohli said. “People don’t realize the value of having loved ones around. It is disappointing that families are being blamed for bad performances.”
Kapil Dev’s Golf Tournament with a T20 Twist
About the Event
Kapil Dev also spoke about the upcoming Kapil Dev Grant Thornton Invitational golf tournament. The event will take place from April 23-26 at Bengaluru’s Prestige Golfshire. It will feature 72 players, including both men and women professionals and amateurs.
Tournament Format
The competition will follow a mixed format:
- 60 male players (40 professionals)
- 12 female players (8 professionals)
- Men will play a course of over 7000 yards, while women will play a shorter course of 6000-6200 yards
Prize Money and Schedule
The tournament will have a total prize purse of ₹2 crore. It will begin with a practice round on April 23, followed by a three-day, 54-hole championship. There will also be three Pro-Am rounds, where professionals will pair up with amateur golfers.
T20-Style Excitement in Golf
Kapil Dev said the event would have an exciting T20 cricket-style element to make it more thrilling. “We wanted to add a bit of T20-style thrill to generate interest,” he explained.
The tournament promises to bring an exciting mix of golf and entertainment, making it a unique event for both players and spectators.
