Sunil Gavaskar Said BCCI Would Be Better Off Interfering In This “Relax Policy”
Sunil Gavaskar Said BCCI Would Be Better Off Interfering In This “Relax Policy”
Batsman legend Sunil Gavaskar has questioned the commitment of senior India players, saying he “does not agree” with cricketers leaving international series but playing the IPL without a break.
Gavaskar’s remarks came after senior players Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant were rested for the upcoming ODI series against West Indies.
“Look, I don’t agree with this concept of players resting. Absolutely not. ‘You don’t rest during the IPL, so why ask for it while playing for India? I don’t agree with it. You have to.’ Play for India. Don’t talk about rest,” Gavaskar said on Sports Tak.
“There are only 20 overs in an innings in T20. It doesn’t affect your body. In Test matches, mind and body take a toll, I get that. But I don’t think there is a problem. T20 cricket,” he said.
The former captain said that the BCCI would be better off interfering in this “rest policy”.
“I honestly feel that BCCI needs to look at this concept of relaxation. All the Grade A cricketers have got very good contracts. They get paid for every match. Tell me if there is any company whose CEO or MD gets so much time off?
“I think a line has to be drawn if Indian cricket is to become more professional. If you want to rest, you need to lower your guarantee.
Gavaskar said, ‘Then you rest, because you don’t want to play. But how can anyone say that I don’t want to play for the Indian team. So I do not agree with this concept.’
There will also be five T20 matches in the West Indies tour.
Shikhar Dhawan was named captain for the three ODIs against West Indies In the absence of regular captain Rohit.
The games in the West Indies are the only ODIs that India will play before the T20 World Cup in Australia. After the ODIs, India will play five T20Is against the West Indies in the Caribbean and the United States.