“A short break between IPL and 20-20 World Cup could have done a lot of good to the team,” Bharat Arun
Bharat Arun ( (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
India had a horrible start to their 20-20 World Cup campaign and lost their matches against Pakistan and New Zealand. The two losses meant that India had to rely on other results to go their way if they had to have any hopes of qualifying for the semis. However, that didn’t happen and the team was knocked out from the league stage itself.
Ahead of the 20-20 World Cup, Indian players participated in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well. The IPL ended on October 15 and India played their first warm-up game on October 18. India bowling coach Bharat Arun feels a short break between the IPL and 20-20 World Cup could have helped the players recover from the fatigue of continuous cricket.
“Being on the road for six months is a huge ask. Players haven’t gone home and I think they had a short break after the last IPL got suspended (in May),” Arun said on the eve of India’s final Super 12 game against Namibia.
“They have been in a bubble for six months and that takes a huge toll, so specific to your question, maybe a short break between IPL and World Cup could have done a lot of good for these boys,” he added.
India’s hopes of qualifying for the semis got shattered after New Zealand defeated Afghanistan in their final league game. Arun further said that teams chasing have been given undue advantage in the tournament. The event has been affected by dew and bowling second has been a stiff task. Notably, India also lost both their games while defending scores.
“Toss played a very, very vital role and I believe in these kind of matches, toss shouldn’t be of any consequence,” he said.
“Here toss gives unfair advantage and there is a huge change in batting in the first innings and batting in the second innings. That shouldn’t be the case in a short format like this,” he said.
Meanwhile, Arun’s term with team India will end after India’s game against Namibia on November 8. Head coach Ravi Shastri and his allies will step down from their posts after the showpiece event.
