Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has finally spoken out on the BCCI’s latest diktat under coach Gautam Gambhir, which restricts players from bringing family members or personal staff during domestic or full overseas tours which was a move that has sparked a storm of reactions in the cricketing world.
Speaking on the Grade Cricketer podcast, Shastri backed the logic behind the decision, hinting that too much off-field noise may have crept into the team setup.
“When there are too many people around, you tend to get distracted,” Shastri said. “He (Gambhir) must have seen it was getting out of hand. So, he just put a limit on what can be done and what cannot be done.”
The new rule reportedly comes after India’s disappointing Test runs, both at the home ground against New Zealand and away in Australia, with the focus now shifting to tighter discipline, sharper preparation, and full mental presence on the field.
The old guard backs the new order
During his own coaching stint, Shastri was known for keeping the atmosphere open and energetic, but he acknowledged that different eras demand different approaches. “Each coach has his own method. If this helps the boys focus better, so be it,” he added.
Shastri also took a moment to back Shubman Gill, who will lead India in the upcoming ODI series against Australia starting Sunday in Perth.
“He’s got a captain now who is stable, composed, and calm. Gill is the man for the next decade,” Shastri remarked, praising the young leader’s temperament and clarity.
As Gambhir’s no-nonsense style begins to reshape Indian cricket’s culture, one thing is clear that distractions are now out of the window and discipline is in. And with Gill leading the charge, the team’s new era might just be built on focus, grit, and quiet intent.
