Saikiran Uppuluri
Saikiran Uppuluri
India’s men’s cricket team head coach, Rahul Dravid, has joined the chorus of voices calling for a comprehensive review of the country’s domestic cricket schedule. His comments follow criticism from players like R Sai Kishore and Shardul Thakur, who have highlighted the challenges of playing in a packed season.
After the Ranji Trophy semi-final, Shardul Thakur expressed the difficulties faced by players, playing 10 games in a row with just a three-day gap. He emphasized the need for longer breaks between matches. Similarly, Sai Kishore, the captain of Tamil Nadu, pointed out the adverse effects on quick bowlers due to shorter gaps between games, leading to minimal pre-match training for spinners like himself.
Dravid, speaking after India’s series win over England, echoed the players’ concerns, emphasizing the importance of listening to those who are directly impacted by the rigorous schedule. He stressed the need to hear the voices of players who put their bodies on the line and suggested a reevaluation of the domestic cricket calendar.
Acknowledging the grueling nature of the season, Dravid questioned the necessity of tournaments like Duleep Trophy and Deodhar Trophy in the current scenario. He highlighted the strain on top players, who end up playing the most cricket due to their selection in various levels of the game, including India A tours. Dravid proposed an all-round review involving coaches and players to address the challenges faced by those in the domestic circuit.
