Ravi Shastri requests BCCI to give break to the Men in Blue

The head coach of the Indian Cricket Team Ravi Shastri has requested Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to provide players with enough break between the series. Team India has just returned from Sri Lanka after winning all the games on the tour across formats. In a video conference meeting with Committee of Administrators (CoA) and BCCI, CEO Rahul Johri, Shastri put forward his point of view.

India has a hectic home season this winter which starts with the limited-overs series against Australia. The team from down under will play 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is between September 17 and October 13. As per reports sources in the board have confirmed that Shastri and the players want the board to plan in a better way when it comes to scheduling international tours.

“Such tight scheduling gives the players little time to recuperate. The international calendar is so tight these days and it’s not only the matches that take a toll on players’ body, but the long flights and travelling. Shastri has requested us to look into it, as he believes it would help players to recover faster. England and Australia give enough gaps between series and the BCCI too should have a plan where players can get a decent break and recover better. Otherwise, everyone is happy with the way how BCCI is taking care of its players,” a source in the BCCI was quoted by Indian Express.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had given their players a break of 15 days during Christmas last year when they toured India. The team went back to their country and celebrated Christmas, New Year with their families whereas Virat Kohli and Co. will be playing a series against New Zealand during Diwali, the Indian festival.

What is in store for Indian team ahead?

Soon after the conclusion of the series against the Aussies, the Black Caps will arrive for 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is from October 17. Following this series, in a week’s time, India is scheduled to host Sri Lanka for 3 Tests, 3 One-Day Internationals and 3 T20 Internationals which ends on December 23. The players don’t have respite even after all this as they will travel South Africa on December 28  where they will play three T20s, three ODIs followed by four Tests matches.

The Indian team has been playing some excellent cricket and they deserve an adequate break between the series to stay fresh and perform even better.