Haven’t received any instruction on players’ workload, says KKR CEO Venky Mysore

With two major tournaments coming up in quick succession, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is worried over the players’ freshness and fitness ahead of the ICC World Cup set to kick off on May 30. The board has indicated that it will keep a close watch on the workload the players are shouldering during the Indian Premier League (IPL) starting in March so that those expected to play a key role in India’s campaign at the mega event do not get jaded.

Venky Mysore, CEO of two-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), one of the franchises of the IPL, however, said that they did not get any such directive. He also sounded confident that such a situation will not arise and things will eventually play out well.

It has been speculated that the franchises might not like the idea of under-playing their top players who they have bought spending a lot of money during the tournament. One of the top BCCI officials was also heard bringing into question the “national interest”.

It’s a hypothetical situation

“It’s a hypothetical situation, to be honest. I don’t think it will arise because, having been around cricketers and coaches, they always feel that when you’re playing competitive cricket it’s better than having net sessions and what not,” Venky Mysore told reporters on the sidelines of the Mayor’s Cup at the Eden Gardens.

Besides Mysore, KKR captain Dinesh Karthik, who took over last year, and others were also present at the prize distribution ceremony.

The KKR CEO said the tournament will finish early enough than the WC which will give the players enough time to recharge their batteries. He hinted at May 12 as the date of the final though the BCCI hasn’t yet come up with the final fixture saying it was waiting for the Election Commission of India to unveil the schedule for the general elections also due in some time.

“We have not heard any such thing from them. The tournament is finishing early enough. If May 12 is the final, and India plays its first game on June 5, I think there is enough of a gap but we have not had any such guidance or instruction,” he further added while also hoping that everything will work out well eventually.

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