The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has implemented a 10-point diktat to stop players from bringing their personal chefs along with their style professionals and support staff during international tours. Despite the BCCI rule outlawing personal chefs during overseas tours Virat Kohli managed to get his desired diet while in Dubai for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
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Virat Kohli’s Smart Move in Dubai
Sources reveal that as soon as the team began their first training session, star Indian batter Virat Kohli immediately headed to a restaurant in Dubai to get his favourite meal. As an alternative to hiring a personal chef he approached the team manager in Dubai who helped him get food from a leading restaurant in Dubai.
“It contained a few boxes of Kohli’s post-session meal. While others were packing their kit bags, Kohli was fuelling up and had even saved a can for the road,” the report added. Despite BCCI’s strict rules, Kohli’s solution ensures that he sticks to his fitness-oriented diet which has played a key role in his stamina and performance over the years.
BCCI’s 10-Point Diktat: No Personal Chefs or Assistants
Players face restrictions from the BCCI to bring their own staff including chefs and security personnel or assistants unless board authorities give explicit approval. The sporting directive extends to every aspect of support personnel including head coach Gautam Gambhir who now resides at a different hotel instead of joining the team during all their activities.
Impact on Senior Players
The BCCI’s new policy framework forced batting maestros Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma along with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to return to domestic level matches. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli joined Ranji Trophy matches because of the board’s initiative to improve domestic cricket even though their performance was unsatisfactory.
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Team India’s First Training Session in Dubai
The first session of practice in Dubai began with Virat Kohli wearing batting pads as India prepare for the Champions Trophy. During the first net session, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma practised with pacers Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh while Hardik Pandya and Shreyas Iyer displayed aggressive batting by hitting lofted shots.
India’s Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule
- February 20 – India vs Bangladesh
- February 23 – India vs Pakistan
- March 2 – India vs New Zealand
Team India will begin its campaign in the Champions Trophy against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by an important match against Pakistan on February 23. Every match played by India during the Champions Trophy will be played exclusively at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Final Thoughts
Changes in the BCCI’s regulations have shifted how players handle their personal needs, but Virat Kohli has once again demonstrated his ability to adjust and find new solutions. Fans are waiting for the Champions Trophy matches to see if Kohli will be able to achieve winning results through his disciplined fitness routine during the tournament when he won’t have his personal chef with him.