New Delhi: Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi has criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for hectic scheduling which leads to overworking players. Modi’s comments come in a response to a NDTV report which said that Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir was not happy with the team’s packed schedule ahead of the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan.
Modi has levied serious allegations against the Indian cricket board saying that their prioritise money over player welfare. Modi even went on to say that the board was killing Indian cricketers with hectic scheduling and treating them like ‘mules’.
BCCI should stop this outrageous scheduling: Modi
Further adding to his critical comments, he also went on to say that the Indian players need time with their families and just some time off too.
‘The BCCI is killing its players with the hectic scheduling. Guys, stop this outrageous scheduling you are putting the boys through. They need time with their families and just some time off. You do not need the money,’ Modi said.
Advising the board to focus on player welfare, he claimed that the IPL has already created enough long-time financial security for the Indian cricket.
‘I created annuity revenue that the world envies. You will never have to worry about that while sitting in those chairs. Do something good with your decisions, for heaven’s sake. The welfare of the players is paramount. Do not overwork them,’ he said.
Earlier according to the NDTV report, Gambhir was concerned that many Indian players would be involved in the cash-rich league finale on May 31 and might have to join the national squad almost immediately for the Test match against Afghanistan, which begins on June 6.
This will lead to the selection committee calling up reserve Test players for the fixture despite Indian’s recent struggles in home red-ball cricket. Many Indian players even before this have spoken about lack of preparation time before the red-ball assignments.