Mumbai, India – February 14, 2025
In a surprising revelation from India’s recent tour of Australia, it has been reported that a senior Indian cricketer carried an astonishing 27 bags, leading to excess baggage charges amounting to 250 kg, which the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had to cover. This incident has prompted the BCCI to introduce a new policy capping luggage weight for overseas tours, ensuring that such situations do not arise in the future.
BCCI’s New Luggage Policy: Stricter Weight Restrictions for Players
As part of its latest set of regulations, the BCCI has now limited the maximum baggage allowance for players to 150 kg, clarifying that any additional weight will have to be paid for by the player themselves.
Key details of the BCCI’s revised luggage policy include:
✔ Each player is allowed a maximum baggage weight of 150 kg.
✔ Any luggage exceeding this limit must be paid for by the player.
✔ BCCI will no longer cover excessive baggage fees incurred by individuals.
✔ Personal items such as extra cricket gear, personal fitness equipment, and other non-essential items will not be considered part of official team equipment.
The 27-Bag Incident: Why the BCCI Was Forced to Act
While the identity of the player responsible for carrying 27 bags remains undisclosed, the excessive baggage raised concerns over:
- Logistical challenges for the team’s travel and accommodation.
- Unnecessary financial burdens on the BCCI.
- Unfair practices, as other players adhered to standard luggage limits.
Reports suggest that team management was left frustrated after dealing with the logistics of handling such an unusually large amount of personal luggage, prompting senior board officials to take action.
Impact on Team Logistics and Management
The BCCI’s latest set of regulations aims to ensure that team travel remains efficient, streamlined, and cost-effective. The introduction of a 150 kg baggage limit per player is part of broader efforts to:
✔ Improve logistical efficiency during overseas tours.
✔ Reduce unnecessary expenses incurred by the board.
✔ Ensure fair and equal treatment of all squad members.
A BCCI official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated:
“The board cannot be expected to pay for excessive personal baggage beyond a reasonable limit. Moving forward, players will be required to adhere to strict guidelines, just like in any other professional sports setup.”
BCCI’s Broader Crackdown on Player Privileges
The new baggage rule is part of a larger regulatory overhaul introduced by the BCCI, which also includes:
- Restrictions on personal assistants, agents, and managers accompanying players.
- Limitations on players traveling with family members during major tournaments.
- Bans on personal chefs, stylists, and additional support staff not officially sanctioned by the board.
These measures, which will take effect starting with the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, indicate a shift toward greater discipline, accountability, and financial prudence in Indian cricket.