Irfan Pathan sparks 'separate hotels' debate with bold question aimed at BCCI; netizens ask ‘is Virat Kohli the target?’

In an effort to promote discipline, togetherness, and a positive team environment going ahead, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently instituted stringent criteria for players under central contract. India's poor showing in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, when Rohit Sharma and his team lost 1-3, served as the impetus for these actions.

One important rule currently requires all players chosen for a tour or series to remain in the same hotel as the rest of the team. Irfan Pathan, a former all-rounder for India, has voiced his disapproval of this regulation and questioned why players were allowed to stay at different hotels in the past.

Even the most renowned players in the past, Pathan noted, consistently stayed at the same hotel as the squad. It has been noted that some players have in the past chosen to travel with their family in separate rooms.

This tradition has been discontinued by the BCCI, which now mandates that all players remain in the same hotel. Furthermore, even after completing their individual training, players have been told not to leave practice sessions early.

"Even the greatest players in the past stayed in the same hotels as the rest of the Indian team. How was staying in a separate hotel allowed in the first place?" Irfan Pathan asked on X (formerly Twitter).

Even the greatest players in the past stayed in the same hotels as the rest of the Indian team. How was staying in a separate hotel allowed in the first place?

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 17, 2025

A user then urged the India all-rounder to stop being vague and directly name Virat Kohli. However, Irfan responded, "Nah, I'm not talking about Virat."

Bhai Sida Virat ka nam lona https://t.co/eadeEoU3BK

— kumar (@KumarlLamani) January 17, 2025

In order to be eligible for selection, all players must participate in domestic events, according to a new rule implemented by the BCCI. This falls under a larger set of rules that also cover baggage allowances, family travel, and limitations on personal employees.

The board has stated unequivocally that failure to abide by these rules may result in disciplinary action, which may include bans from participating in BCCI competitions, including the well-known Indian Premier League (IPL).

A player must ask chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir for permission before requesting an exception to these restrictions.

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