Cricket: Indian cricket team’s checklist for the WC: Railway coach, wives and bananas

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(Photo Courtesy: Indian Express)

The Indian cricket team has requested the Committee of Administrators (CoA), along with their captain, Virat Kohli on their way back from the dismal tour of England last September, a reserved train coach during the World Cup in England next year, permission for wives to accompany players for the entire tour and bananas.

Of all the requests made by team India to the CoA, the one that startled them was the bananas and the permission to travel by trains.

“Apparently, the England cricket board failed to serve the Indian team with the fruit of their choice during the tour. But the CoA was amused by the request and said that the players should have told the team manager to buy bananas on the BCCI’s expenses,” sources said.

“There were other demands about booking hotels with a proper gym and discussions about the duration and protocol regarding wives accompanying players on tours,” sources said.

Virat Kohli and co. felt that the team could save time some time by traveling through train instead of bus during the World Cup in England next year.

“The CoA was initially not willing to agree because it was worried about security. But it was informed by Kohli that the England team travelled by train… The team wants a coach to be blocked and booked. The CoA was worried about travelling Indian fans mobbing the train. Eventually, the committee agreed under the condition that the CoA or BCCI won’t be held responsible if anything untoward happens,” sources said.

The third demand that led to a long debate was the inclusion of wives during long tours so that the players could take their mind of the games and relax. However, the CoA said that it would seek the written consent of all team members individually before taking a decision.

It was felt that some players might view this as a distraction during tours. They (CoA) want to make sure that everyone is onboard before they give the green light,” sources said.

CoA member Diana Edulji had earlier told The Indian Express that the BCCI would not be in a hurry as it was a policy decision. Until a decision is taken, the board will follow established norms that allow wives to accompany players for two weeks in the middle of a tour.

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