'All the players won't be playing all the games' - BCCI source on workload management during IND-SA T20Is

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently confirmed that venues and schedules for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa, starting June 9. This home bilateral series gets underway just 11 days after the conclusion of the ongoing IPL 2022.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that an effective workload management program is being prepared so that the key members of the Indian team, including the likes of skipper Rohit Sharma, batting megastar Virat Kohli, and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, can get a breather ahead of a grueling schedule going forward.

If these guys aren’t given systemic breaks, it will only harm them: BCCI source

“There are five T20 internationals between June 9 to 19 in five cities. Obviously, all the players won’t be playing all the games. Some might be given total rest and some might play a few games,” said a BCCI source as quoted as saying by The New Indian Express.

“If these guys aren’t given systemic breaks, it will only harm them. But obviously, the duration of break will be decided by selectors after talking to head coach (Rahul Dravid),” the source added.

The venues for the five T20Is will be Delhi, Cuttack, Vizag, Rajkot, and Bengaluru respectively. The workload management will need to be implemented by the BCCI due to the packed calendar that also includes the Asia Cup T20 and the ICC T20 World Cup that will be held in Australia in October-November this year. The breaks could help the players feel rejuvenated ahead of the big multi-nation tournaments, especially a couple of them who have been out of form for a while.

Meanwhile, the 15th edition of the marquee tournament is also being organized in a strict bio-secure environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The inclusion of the two new franchises Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans has stretched the tournament to over two months with the total number of matches also being increased to 74 (70 league and four knockouts).