Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has opened up about the new guidelines laid down by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the centralized signing of players in the country. The guidelines were issued after India’s shock loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

While there are many guidelines for players, one of them is to stay in the same hotel to enhance team unity. Pathan claimed that even the greatest players abide by this rule and argued how players should be allowed to stay in different places. When a user asked Pathan to name Virat Kohli directly, he categorically denied it.

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Irfan Pathan breaks silence on BCCI new rules for Indian team

Irfan Pathan took to social media to discuss the new rules and regulations brought by BCCI. He argued how players could be allowed to stay in different hotels when the greatest players didn’t break the rules.

“Even the greatest players of the past have stayed in the same hotel with other players of the Indian team. How can staying in a separate hotel be allowed in the first place?” asked Irfan Pathan on X (formerly Twitter).

Even the greatest players of the past stayed in the same hotel as the rest of the Indian team. First, how is staying in a separate hotel allowed?

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 17, 2025

It is worth noting that some players stay in different hotels with their respective families during a tour. However, the BCCI wants all players to be at the same place from now on.

Irfan Pathan denies using Virat Kohli’s name

A user on X replied to Irfan Pathan’s post and asked him to reveal Virat Kohli’s name without any hesitation. Pathan, however, responded categorically that he was not talking about Kohli.

“No, not talking about Virat (Kohli),” Pathan replied.

No, not talking about Virat.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 17, 2025

While the news has not been confirmed, some of the team’s senior players have been found guilty of being separated from their families due to mental health issues. But India’s poor performance in Australia prompted the BCCI to take stricter action against them.

BCCI issues new guidelines

The BCCI has issued a slew of guidelines following the disastrous tour of Australia. The board has made participation in domestic tournaments a mandatory requirement for selection.

The guidance also includes rules for family travel, baggage allowances and personal staff restrictions. Strict action will be taken against players if they do not adhere to these guidelines, including suspension from the cash-rich Indian Premier League.

If a player has an emergency, he needs to take permission from head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar. Young players like Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant have been confirmed for the next Ranji game, but the status of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma is not yet known.