Sunil Gavaskar Criticizes Senior Indian Players For Taking Rest During India’s Matches
Rohit Sharma, Sunil Gavaskar, and Virat Kohli (Image Source: Twitter)
India is currently busy playing the limited-over series in England after facing England in a one-off rescheduled Test match. But, in recent times, it has been seen that senior Indian players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah got rested in several series. Even, fans also started questioning the Indian Cricket Board’s rotation policy.
Now, former India batter, Sunil Gavaskar also came up with some questions regarding the players who are taking a rest in several series for India. Even, for the upcoming ODI series against West Indies, these players were given rest as Shikhar Dhawan was named the captain for that series.
“You will have to play for India. Don’t talk about rest.” – Sunil Gavaskar
Former India legend, Gavaskar said that he does not understand why senior Indian players need rest while playing for his country. He also accused them of saying that they do not take a rest while they play in the Indian T20 League. But, they take a rest from several series for India.
Speaking on Sports Tak, He said: “See I do not agree with players resting (during India matches). Not at all. You are playing for India. You don’t take a rest during Indian T20 League but rest while playing for India. I don’t agree with it. You will have to play for India. Don’t talk about rest. There are only 20 overs in an innings in T20. That does not take any toll on your body. In Test matches, the mind and the body take a toll, but in T20 cricket, there is not much of a problem (in playing),”
This former batter also suggested that the Indian Cricket Board needs to be more professional as they need to demote such players’ contracts for taking so much rest at a regular interval. “I honestly feel that the Indian Cricket Board needs to look into this concept of rest. All the Grade A cricketers have received very good contracts. They receive payment for every match. Tell me if there is any company whose CEO, or MDs get so much time off? I feel that if Indian cricket is to become more professional, a line needs to be drawn. If you want to be rested, you need to reduce your guarantees. Then you take a rest because you don’t want to play. But how can anyone say that I don’t want to play for the Indian team? Which is why I do not agree with the concept,” Gavaskar concluded.
