T20 World Cup: Gavaskar, Kapil Dev slam players for prioritising IPL

T20 World Cup: IPL vs T20 World Cup: India’s hurried departure from the Test series against England sparked a debate whether Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and others were prioritising IPL over national duty. After India’s shock group-stage exit from the T20 World Cup, former captains Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev have slammed the players and the BCCI accusing them of prioritising IPL.

“When we talk about the workload factor, to take it easy, etc. could some of the Indian players not play the last few matches of the IPL? Could they have avoided playing that and kept themselves fresh for India? Well, that’s something that they will be able to answer. Particularly when you know that you may not be able to qualify, should some of the players have taken a break and given themselves one week, 10 days break to freshen up and recharge their batteries?” Sunil Gavaskar said on Sports Tak.

T20 World Cup: IPL vs T20 WC – Sunil Gavaskar & Kapil Dev slam players for choosing IPL after exit

India’s performance at the T20 World Cup has been put down to bio-bubble fatigue and their relentless schedule over the past six months. Virat Kohli and Co. were favourites heading into the tournament, but were largely disappointing, losing to Pakistan and New Zealand to crash out in the group stage.

Also Read: T20 World Cup LIVE: BCCI fuming after bowling coach, Bumrah’s ‘fatigue claims’, says ‘no one forced them to play in IPL’

T20 World Cup: IPL vs T20 WC – Sunil Gavaskar & Kapil Dev slam players for choosing IPL after exit

But Gavaskar, Madan Lal and Kapil dev raise some valid questions.

What is more important, IPL or WC?
Should players have taken rest in the last few matches of IPL 2021?
Should they have prioritised T20 World Cup and pulled out of IPL 2021?
Why not raise the question of bubble fatigue before joining IPL bubble?
Why did players involve in advertising activities despite a tight schedule ahead of T20 WC?

Gavaskar’s former teammate and 1983 World Cup-winning skipper Kapil Dev also slammed the Indian team for prioritising the IPL over national duty. He insisted that while he is not against players playing franchise cricket, there should be a greater commitment to playing for the national team and not the franchises.

T20 World Cup: Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, slam players for choosing IPL over national duty after T20 WC exit

During his appearance on ABP news, Kapil Dev said, “When players prioritise IPL over playing for the country, we what can we say. Players should take pride in playing for their nation. I don’t know their financial conditions so can’t say much. But I feel that first in line should be the country’s team and then franchises. I’m not saying do not play cricket there (for the franchise), but the responsibility is now on the BCCI to plan its cricket better. To not repeat mistakes we committed in this tournament is the biggest learning for us.”

Also Read: India at T20 WC: Excuses list getting longer for team India, now Indian bowling coach says ‘break between IPL 2021 & WC was required’

Another former cricketer Madan Lal too questioned whether cricketers should have taken WC more seriously than IPL.

“Players needed to take a call. What’s more important? World Cup or Indian Premier League? Also, we all know how different this (T20) format is. Too much action involved here. Look at the way fresh Pakistan is doing, England is playing,” Madan Lal said.

T20 World Cup: Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, slam players for choosing IPL over national duty after T20 WC exit

The World Cup winner also slammed Team management’s decision to send Ishan Kishan to open in place of Rohit Sharma in the match against New Zealand.

“Whosoever has taken the decision, it was wrong. Rohit Sharma has been consistently performing well in the opening. How can you remove him from that position? Then Virat Kohli’s spot (No. 3) was also changed. And I am not able to understand why leg spinner Rahul Chahar was not used in the tournament? Leg-spinners were crucial in the tourney,” Madan Lal said.

While players have constantly criticised BCCI’s scheduling, the Indian board is not very forgiving. IsndieSport reported that BCCI isn’t buying scheduling and bio-bubble fatigue excuses. Instead, on the same lines as Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, it has held the Indian stars liable for poor performance and early exit.

“As far as bio-bubble fatigue is concerned, players are not forced to play in the IPL. If Virat or Jasprit thought World Cup was more important, they could have withdrawn from IPL. BCCI provided them with all the facilities and has allowed families to be with them. We are all in a difficult time due to Covid,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.

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