New Delhi, 25th June 2023: The Indian cricket team is gearing up for their upcoming tour of the West Indies, which marks the beginning of the third World Test Championship cycle. However, the squad announced for the tour has witnessed some significant exclusions, with Cheteshwar Pujara and Umesh Yadav being dropped.
In a surprising twist, three young players, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Mukesh Kumar, have received their maiden Test call-ups. The team will be led by Rohit Sharma, who will have the support of experienced players like Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Ravindra Jadeja.
Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar believes that the West Indies tour presents an excellent opportunity for the team management to experiment with new players while providing rest to the established ones. Gavaskar shared his thoughts with Sports Today, stating that the tour was an ideal time to introduce fresh faces.
“The West Indies team is not as strong as before, so blooding the younger players would have been the right approach,” Gavaskar said.
Considering the upcoming ODI World Cup, which is just a few months away, Gavaskar suggested that the senior players should solely focus on white-ball cricket. He emphasized the need for a break, as they have been playing continuously since the T20 World Cup last year. This moment provides an opportune time for rejuvenation.
Gavaskar expressed his preference for the senior players to take a complete break from Test cricket and concentrate on the 50-over format. He noted that they have been playing non-stop cricket since October-November last year, with minimal rest periods. Therefore, a break from red-ball cricket would have been beneficial.
“The players who are certain to play in the 50-over World Cup should be given this break. Mohammed Shami has been given a break, so it would be wise to extend it to others as well,” Gavaskar suggested.
In addition, Gavaskar pointed out that the team’s departure for the tour and participation in warm-up matches would further reduce their break time. To address this concern, he urged for an extended break, allowing the players to rest adequately.
“Give them a complete break. They finished on the 12th of June, so allow them to rest until the 20th or 25th of July. No Test matches, no traveling either. Instead, why not give them a 40-day break? A complete 40-day break would ensure they return fresh for the upcoming one-day matches and the new season,” Gavaskar recommended.
Gavaskar’s suggestions aim to strike a balance between nurturing young talent by giving them opportunities on the West Indies tour and providing necessary rest to the senior players ahead of the crucial ODI World Cup.
As the Indian cricket team embarks on their tour, fans eagerly anticipate the performances of the new faces and the impact they will make on the team dynamics.
