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The whole debate about WAGs (Wives And Girlfriends) traveling with players during major tournaments has been a hot topic, especially after India’s loss to Australia. The backlash is understandable given the expectations, but it’s also a bit harsh on the players, who spend several months away from their families. Does this rule actually affect performance, or is it just a convenient excuse when things go wrong?
What if a player’s wife is also his manager? Isn’t that an interesting loophole. Unless there’s a specific rule barring family members from being part of the professional setup, it would be tricky to enforce the rule against WAGs. Most cricket boards have guidelines on player entourages, but personal staff, including managers, usually have some leeway.
For example, Rohit Sharma’s wife, Ritika Sajdeh, is his manager and won’t she have the right to travel to Dubai — the venue for the Champions Trophy — in a professional capacity? Where is the WAGs rule going then? Will it be okay for the WAGs to stay outside the team hotel then? Won’t the players be worried about the safety of their familles? If the BCCI is making exceptions for some, then a uniform policy should apply to all players, regardless of seniority. If a captain’s wife is allowed to travel in an official capacity, then someone like Virat Kohli, who has been a pillar of Indian cricket, should also get the same privilege to be with his family.
The argument about restricting WAGs during major tournaments is usually based on maintaining focus, but if seniors are getting that flexibility, then younger players should have the option too. Otherwise, it creates an unnecessary divide in the team. If the BCCI is setting rules, they need to be consistent across the board. You can’t allow one player’s wife to travel because she’s officially a manager while denying another player the same right just because his wife isn’t in a managerial role. That kind of selective enforcement creates unnecessary controversy and tension within the team.
There’s no rule that says wives can’t be managers, and if they’re handling their husband’s professional commitments as PR managers or in any other official capacity, they have every right to continue their work. It’s unfair to single out certain players while others get exceptions. Rohit isn’t the only cricketer in this situation, and many other Indian players have their wives managing their professional profiles. If the board is comfortable allowing that, then the whole debate around WAGs traveling with players becomes a bit hypocritical. Either enforce a blanket rule for everyone or allow flexibility across the board.
At the end of the day, as long as a player is performing at his best, does it really matter who’s traveling with him? If players feel more comfortable and mentally at ease with their families around, it could actually help them perform better in high-pressure situations. Instead of policing personal lives, the focus should be on ensuring the team is in the best possible frame of mind to win tournaments.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.