Kapil Dev reacts to BCCI’s ‘no wives and girlfriends for entire tour’ rule for Team India players

Former India captain Kapil Dev has expressed his thoughts on ace hitters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's recent return to domestic cricket.

Both Kohli and Rohit played one match each for their respective teams in the Ranji Trophy, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) requires players to participate in the local circuit. While Kohli last played for Delhi in 2013, Rohit's last Ranji appearance for Mumbai was a decade ago.

Following India's loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the BCCI adopted this regulation as part of a 10-point list of dos and don'ts for players. However, Kapil Dev has asked for a harsher structure, implying that the players should play in Ranji, even if they do well in international matches.

"If you are talking about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma playing in the Ranji Trophy after 12 years...how is that right? It does not look good at all. It's not because they did not perform. Whether they score runs or not, you have to score runs in domestic cricket. So yes, certain strong measures have to be taken. But my point is, had we won or had Rohit or Kohli scored runs, would they have played the Ranji Trophy? Don't look at the performances; make the system strong. Whether you score zero or lakhs of runs, play cricket by staying within the system," Dev told Cricket Adda.

However, both Kohli and Rohit failed to impress in the one Ranji Trophy game they played each.

Kapil Dev shares views on BCCI’s new rules for wives and girlfriends on tour.

The BCCI's 10-point diktat also included a new rule limiting players' family time on tours. Sharing his thoughts on the matter, Dev stated that, while bringing family on tour is not bad, he supports the BCCI's decision.

"Taking your wives on tours is not wrong, but I feel that if the tour is one month, they should not be allowed for the first 20 days so that the players can play together as a team. Similarly, for a three-month campaign, at least for a month, players should be left alone with the team," he added.

Dev also backed the BCCI's decision not to allow players to travel alone. He said, "Also, the team should travel together; this is not an individual sport."

Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates at BetBarter and download the BetBarter app to start betting today!