Kohli Effect: BCCI does well to allow cricketers’ wives on foreign tours after Virat's statement | Opinion

Add as a preferred source on Google

It seems, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) looks at Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma not as recalcitrant but men who offer meaningful advice. During the course of two media interviews, recently, Kohli had spoken on a whole gamut of topics.

An important one he touched on was how family being together and wives travelling with players is important. In a terse comment, Kohli had said to return to the hotel room and stare at the wall after a hard battle on the field was not good. The reference was to the hard BGT Series in Australia.

In what can be termed as a swift reaction, the BCCI has agreed to allow wives to allow, as per a report on Tuesday. Of course, the players will have to make an application to the BCCI, which is not out of place. It is well known, as a serious influence maker, what Kohli says carries enormous weight.

This is despite 'well-known' social media troll handles targeting him for no rhyme or reason. At first, when Kohli wanted privacy and was staying in London with wife Ansuhka Sharma and his kids, an impression was made as if he had fled India. There was nothing like that.

In the off-season, Kohli likes his own peace, his own anonymity and not just be hounded by fans who want autographs and selfies all the time. In fact, Kohli had got into a scrap with TV crews as well in Australia during the BGT Series, when a TV crew wanted to film him on arrival in Melbourne.

There was dirt of sorts hurled at the cricketers when they returned from the tour, Down Under. All kinds of 'inquiries' were held, and some social media hounds were more than happy to slam and celebrate the news when the BCCI put restrictions on wives travelling abroad with their husbands.

What one witnessed during the Champions Trophy was crazy. Unbridled scenes of joy and emotions were witnessed when Kohli was seen hugging Anushka Sharma after the Men in Blue sealed the Champions Trophy, of course, in the stands. At the same time, Rohit's wife Ritika was also in Dubai.

Images of the wives all smiles and celebrating made it clear, the better half is a positive influence. One must not confuse wives with wags. Wives offer solace and stability and they are soulmates and have every right to travel with the family.

Where it looks odd is the wives have to stay in different hotels. Why? Wives are not attending team meetings and as long as they can just be in the same hotel and even pay for their rooms, which is hardly a financial issue, that will be even better.

So, to read a small report on Tuesday (March 18) the BCCI will allow wives to travel on overseas tours is a good HR policy. Can heartless hacks even imagine how a Rohit Sharma would have felt just after he had been blessed with a child and could not see his wife or kid on a tough tour to Australia.

In the good old days, cricketers did not get to their newborn till a tour got over. Times have changed. If the Alpha Male Indian cricketer wants to take his wife along and ensure his cricket is not going to affected, there is nothing wrong. Can anyone grudge Mohd Shami taking his mother to Dubai. It was a proud moment for the proud mom to see her son with an ICC Trophy, finally.