Ian Healy's warning for Australia amid India's stunning new ban on players' wives

Australian cricket Great Ian Healy has taken aim at Indian officials for allowing norms within the national team to shift following new restrictions around the national squad players and their wives were implemented. And the Australian legend believes this should serve as a warning to other cricket-playing nations.

The pressure has increased on India after losing 3-1 to Pat Cummins' men in Australia this summer, with many of the senior players underperforming in the Test series. Rohit Sharma was 'rested' for the SCG showdown, allowing Jasprit Bumrah to take over the captaincy, while Virat Kohli failed to score outside his Perth Test century and has been struggling against the red ball for three years.

And it marks the second straight series loss that India have lost after being humiliated 3-0 by New Zealand in their first home defeat in 12 years. New Zealand became the first team in cricket history to whitewash India at home in a Test series.

Fans have increased pressure on the national team and the BCCI has responded by introducing stricter guidelines for players on foreign tours. And the rules have caused a stir within the cricket world, with Healy claiming standards have fallen for too long.

“The reform of Indian cricket. A strict, strong response from the Indian cricket authorities, who effectively admit to poor discipline in their national team,” Healy said on SEN Radio on Tuesday. “It made for extraordinary reading that the following issues could remain unapproved for so long.”

Ian Healy's warning to Australia and other countries

According to a BCCI document obtained by ESPN CricInfo, there will be a limit on the time partners and spouses can be present during foreign trips of 45 days or more, and players will have to travel with teammates instead of their families between matches. Under the new rules, families will be allowed to stay with players for a maximum of 14 days during overseas trips, and this will be limited to seven days for trips shorter than 45 days.

Travel restrictions have also been put in place so that all players must travel to training and matches on the same bus. Healy warned Australian administrators not to let the practices slip and to maintain the high standards they have already imposed on the national side.

“Perhaps administrators and players have not respected the dream of representing a powerhouse of the sport,” he said. “Australia – and other countries – need to be aware of how far things can go off the rails without noticing the effects. Stay vigilant. Take all of that into the game.”

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Different rules were reportedly in place, with all players expected to pay for their own extra baggage. Coach Gautim Gambir is also banned from having his manager in the coaching box or traveling on the team bus, and the manager must stay in a separate hotel from the rest of the squad.

The rules come after reports suggested that Indian superstar Kohli and series player Bumrah traveled to the team separately. Kohli and Bumrah were reportedly traveling around Australia with their wives and children during the recent Test series – and were separated from the rest of the team who were traveling by bus.

India's tour of Australia was plagued by drama and controversy Kohli engaged in a heated argument with a female reporter in Adelaide about his family being filmed for TV news. Either way, India will look to turn their fortunes around with a huge tour of England mid-year.

England will look to build momentum with a win over India before the Ashes begin in Australia in November. Australia have traveled to Sri Lanka with Steve Smith as captain before they take on South Africa in the final of the ICC Test Championship.