Indian Cricket Board planning on meeting with Indian T20 League Teams to discuss workload management- Reports

Published on January 29, 2023

The Indian Cricket Board intends to meet with the Indian T20 League franchises prior to the 16th edition of the tournament to monitor the players’ workload ahead of the 50-over World Cup in India in October-November.

The Board stated that the National Cricket Academy (NCA) “will work in tandem with the IPL franchises to monitor the targeted Indian players participating in the IPL 2023” during its review meeting with Team India management on New Year’s Day.

Sources claim that the meeting will inform the franchises of the NCA’s plans for keeping track of the players’ fitness. The Board was compelled to act in this way by the recent wave of player injuries. While Jasprit Bumrah‘s availability is still unknown, Ravindra Jadeja is anticipated to participate in the upcoming Test series against Australia next month.

The best fast bowler for India, Bumrah, has started bowling again after sitting out the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand. However, he was not chosen for the first two Test matches against Australia.

Franchises are unsure of how the 20 cricketers selected for the World Cup games will be watched, though. Franchises have in the past declined to provide the NCA with specific workload management data even though they have provided medical reports.

The players have a contract with the franchises: Indian T20 League Franchise official

“There’s nothing official about it. The BCCI hasn’t told us anything. It wouldn’t be proper to make a comment on the basis of media reports,” the Kolkata team’s chief executive Venky Mysore said. “The BCCI cannot direct a franchise to rest a player unless he is unfit. After all, the players have a contract with the franchises,” a franchise official said. “The franchises also hire physios and masseurs who have worked with national teams earlier and so there’s nothing to panic for the BCCI.”

Sunil Gavaskar questioned the players’ dedication in relation to their choice to forego serving on the India team and participate in the lucrative tournament last year. Though the team owners are unlikely to agree to any cap on players’ workload, the franchises’ meeting with the Board may help to allay any concerns.