Legendary player Sunil Gavaskar has questioned the fact that senior Indian players are resting in international matches without skipping the Indian Premier League. In the past few months, several Indian players including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah have been given a break from international matches.
Both Kohli and Rohit have been going through poor batting form and the selectors have tried to lighten their workload by resting them for several series. Recently, when BCCI announced the squad for the ODI series against West Indies, Shikhar Dhawan became the captain while several senior players including Rohit, Kohli, Bumrah, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya were rested.
Gavaskar criticized resting in this format, saying that 20 overs in an innings does no harm to the body.
“I don’t agree with players resting during matches for the country. Never. You are playing for India. You don’t rest during IPL, rest while playing for India. I don’t agree with that. Will have to play for India. Don’t talk about rest. There are only 20 overs in an innings in T20. It does not harm your body. “In Test matches, the mind and body take a toll, but in T20 cricket (playing) there is no major problem,” Gavaskar told SportsTalk.
Gavaskar also suggested downgrading the contracts of cricketers who want rest at regular intervals.
“I honestly feel that the BCCI needs to look into the concept of rest. All the A grade cricketers have got good contracts. They get paid for every match. Tell me if there is any company where CEOs and MDs get so much leave? I feel that if Indian cricket is to become more professional, there needs to be a change,” Gavaskar added.