New Delhi: After suffering a humiliating 3-1 test defeat in England, BCCI is now laying the blame to the girlfriends and wives of the cricketers accompanying them on such tours. Team India manager Sunil Dev is strictly against such things and termed it against the Indian culture.
He says taking family on long tours may distract the players from their game. Virat Kohli who had the worst run form in England, was accompanied by his B-town girlfriend Anushka Sharma for three tests. Dev was apparently not at all pleased with the fact that Kohli's girlfriend was with him on the tour.
Speaking to English daily Mid-Day, Sunil Dev said, "I would have objected to her presence, but was helpless when I realised that permission was granted by BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel. I doubt whether the secretary even spoke to the interim BCCI president Shivlal Yadav before granting permission.”
“Foreign players do take their girlfriends on tours, but India's culture is different. Indian society doesn't allow girlfriend on tour like this,” he added.
Acting swiftly after the 3-1 hammering, the BCCI has appointed Ravi Shastri as Team Director for the upcoming limited-overs series in England, while the fielding and bowling coaches have been sent on leave. Coach Duncan Fletcher is also feared losing the contract after the tour.
