Irfan Pathan attacked Virat Kohli with ‘I stay in a separate hotel’ remarks? The versatile reveals itself
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has opened up about the new guidelines set by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the country’s centrally contracted players. The guidelines come in the wake of India’s shock defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Although there are many guidelines for players, one of them is to stay in the same hotel to increase team unity. Pathan claimed that even the greatest players followed this rule and claimed that the player was allowed to stay at second place. When a user asked Pathan to name Virat Kohli immediately, he clearly refused.
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Irfan Pathan breaks his silence on BCCI’s new rules for Team India
Irfan Pathan took to social media to discuss the new rules and regulations brought by the BCCI. He claimed that the players were allowed to stay in another hotel when the biggest players did not break the rules.
“Even the greatest players in the past used to stay in the same hotels as the rest of the Indian team. How is it even allowed to stay in a separate hotel?” asked Irfan Pathan on Xu (formerly Twitter).
Even the biggest players in the past used to stay in the same hotels as the rest of the Indian team. How was it even allowed to stay in a separate hotel?
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 17, 2025
It should be noted that some of the players stayed in separate hotels with their families during a particular tour. However, the BCCI wants all the players to stay at the same place from now on.
Irfan Pathan denies taking Virat Kohli’s name
A user on Xu responded to Irfan Pathan’s post and asked him to reveal Virat Kohli’s name without hesitation. However, Pathan clearly responded by saying that he was not talking about Kohli.
“No, I’m not talking about Virat (Kohli),” Pathan replied.
No, I am not talking about Virat.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 17, 2025
Although not confirmed, some of the senior players of the team have been found guilty of staying apart from their families citing their mental state as the reason. But India’s poor results in Australia prompted the BCCI to take stricter action against them.
BCCI issues new guidelines
The BCCI issued a series of guidelines that came after the disastrous tour of Australia. The committee made participation in domestic tournaments mandatory for selection.
The guidelines also include rules for family travel, baggage allowances and personal staff restrictions. If the player does not follow these guidelines, strict action will be taken against him which also includes suspension from the rich Indian Premier League.
If a player has an emergency, he will have to give permission from head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar. Young players like Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant have already confirmed their availability for the next Ranji match but the status of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma is still unclear.
