Rahul Dravid advocates comprehensive review of domestic cricket scheduling
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Rahul Dravid, the head coach of the Indian cricket team, has suggested a thorough review of the domestic cricket scheduling, responding to concerns raised by players like Shardul Thakur and R Sai Kishore.
Both players emphasized the need for more breaks between matches to prevent injuries.
Dravid acknowledged the players' sentiments, emphasizing the importance of consulting those "going through the grind and putting their bodies on the line."
"I've heard the same as well. I saw some of the comments Shardul made. And in fact some of the boys who've come into the team as well, also comment about how tough the domestic schedule is, especially in a country like India with the amount of travel involved," said Dravid.
"You need to hear your players, because they are the ones going through the grind and putting their bodies on the line, and if there are enough voices saying that, then yeah, I think there's some need to look at it, and see how we can manage our schedules."
Dravid urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to assess the scheduling of competitions like Duleep Trophy and Deodhar Trophy to alleviate pressure on cricketers.
"It's a long season already in India. It's tough," Dravid remarked. "The Ranji Trophy is a long season, and if you add a Duleep and a Deodhar on top of that...Last year, if I'm not mistaken, the Duleep started in June, it was just a month after the IPL, and your problem in this situation is your best players, the guys who are pushing for selection for India, are the ones that end up playing the most cricket."
"Maybe we need to re-look and see whether some of the tournaments that we are conducting are necessary in this day and age or if they are not necessary. There needs to be an all-round review [involving] coaches and players, especially the guys who are part of the domestic circuit," he added.