Ravi Shastri, former Indian cricket coach, made a forthright observation following the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2023. Shastri, known for his straight talk, tackled the prickly issue of player preparation time for international cricket events.
“We need to be realistic,” Shastri began. He went on to say, “Players getting more time to prepare is never going to happen.” His statement acknowledges the challenging reality of today’s cricket calendar, which is jam-packed with domestic and international events.
Specifically, Shastri pointed out a key conflict in the schedule. He explained, “You’re going to get 20 days, but if that’s the case, you have to miss the IPL.” The Indian Premier League (IPL), one of the biggest T20 cricket tournaments globally, takes place just before the WTC.
In 2023, the IPL final concluded on May 30, leaving players with a mere eight-day window before the start of the WTC Final on June 7. This crammed schedule offers minimal time for players to switch gears from the high-intensity, short-form cricket of the IPL to the measured and methodical nature of Test cricket.
Moreover, the tight schedule doesn’t permit any breathing space for players to rest and recharge. Nor does it allow time for training or acclimatization to the different demands of Test cricket, especially in an overseas condition like the WTC final held in England.
In 2023, India fell to Australia in the WTC final, underlining the struggles that teams may face due to inadequate preparation. While it’s not clear whether more preparation time would have altered the outcome, the issue remains a subject of intense debate.
In the same vein, Shastri’s comments bring to the fore the balance players must strike between lucrative T20 leagues and international commitments. His remarks seem to suggest that if players want additional preparation time for prestigious tournaments like the WTC, they might need to make tough choices.
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Ravi Shastri said that players will never get time to prepare unless they miss the IPL
However, missing the IPL is hardly a realistic option for many players. Not only does the IPL offer a substantial financial reward, but it also provides an invaluable platform for young talents to showcase their skills and gain international exposure.
Hence, Shastri’s comments underscore the inherent conflict and the trade-offs in today’s fast-paced cricket world. It presents a conundrum that cricketing bodies, players, and even fans grapple with, leaving us with more questions than answers.
In conclusion, Shastri’s candid comments highlight a key challenge in modern cricket. How to balance the demanding cricket calendar, with its domestic T20 leagues and international Test matches, remains a puzzle yet to be solved. The outcome of the WTC final 2023 and India’s performance therein underline the importance of this ongoing discussion. One thing is clear though; a practical, player-friendly solution is urgently needed in this era of back-to-back cricket fixtures.
Indian players cant miss their own league just like that , we have like one actual thing that makes cricket compete In the global world , don't spoil that lol https://t.co/xE0E9Y6uSb
Advertisement— Poojith (@Poojith91227500) June 12, 2023
IPL>International cricket..Each and every player should prioritise that imo.. https://t.co/gplVNQxaJK
— suraj (@Cricket_1807) June 12, 2023
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Money is everything for our Indian Cricketers 😊 https://t.co/1Sn48mUwy6
Advertisement— ANUJ SHARMA 🇮🇳 5 Days – Jit's Birthday (@Anujj_Sharmaa) June 12, 2023
Wo to kabhi nahi hoga. Franchises allow hi nahi karegi. They are the biggest stakeholders. They basically own the player. So without their permission they miss the IPL unless they get injured or for personal reason. https://t.co/psZTetpKIC
— Hriday (Fan-Account) (@Hriday1812) June 12, 2023
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IPL is the main reason for losing since 10 years https://t.co/nTfbV2OCce
Advertisement— AYAAN BHAI || SSMB28💫|| (@85Crores) June 12, 2023
Remove IPL for next year's and concentrate on national team @BCCI https://t.co/8SlUTSACev
— Bharadwaj (@faninexcile) June 12, 2023
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They'll never miss ipl
For safeguarding their future https://t.co/ADRRLYE5kNAdvertisement— sameer (@SamSame4567) June 12, 2023
Ask him to say the same in an IPL com box, fella! https://t.co/vNjytJx6ba
— Success Pradhan (@successcfc13) June 12, 2023
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