Former India coach Ravi Shastri opined that too many people around the team can distract players, and that Gautam Gambhir may have brought in the new family travel rule to keep things under control.
Ravi Shastri shared his perspective on the BCCI’s new policy limiting players’ family travel during tours, introduced after India’s Test losses to New Zealand and Australia. The former India coach said the move likely came from Gautam Gambhir’s desire to keep players focused amid distractions.
The rule aims to improve concentration and maintain a competitive mindset within the squad. While many see it as a necessary step to restore discipline, critics view it as an outdated measure that unfairly blames families for performance dips.
“When there are too many people around, you tend to get distracted. He (Gambhir) must have seen it is getting out of hand. So he just put a limit on what can be done and what cannot be done,” Shastri said while speaking on the Grade Cricketer podcast.
Ravi Shastri Backs Shubman Gill to Lead India’s Next Generation
Shastri then highlighted the importance of calm and composed leadership in maintaining a balanced team environment. Reflecting on Shubman Gill’s rise, the former coach expressed confidence in the young batter’s temperament and ability to lead India’s next generation.
“The good thing for him is that he has got a captain now who is stable, composed and calm. Gill is the man for the next decade for India,” Shastri said.
Gill’s first major challenge as skipper comes in the three-match ODI series against Australia, starting Sunday, October 19, in Perth.
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