New Delhi, Sept 12:
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India over the increasingly crowded cricket calendar, warning that players cannot be treated as an unlimited resource amid mounting workload and injury concerns.
In a column for Sportstar, Gavaskar argued that the constant demands of international and franchise cricket were placing excessive pressure on Indian cricketers.
He called for greater attention to player workload as discussions begin on the international cricket calendar from 2027.
Gavaskar also raised concerns over the impact of the packed schedule on domestic red-ball cricket, stressing that India’s cricketing strength ultimately depends on a healthy first-class system.
The former batting great pointed out that most members of India’s current national teams developed through red-ball cricket and said the Ranji Trophy and other first-class competitions must remain central to the country’s cricket structure.
His comments come amid growing concerns about the number of matches being played by leading international players across formats and franchise competitions.
Gavaskar argued that the relentless focus on international and franchise cricket should not come at the expense of domestic cricket, particularly the longer format that develops players for Test cricket.
He also called for the revival of the BCCI’s Technical and Fixtures Committees.
According to Gavaskar, these committees should include experienced former cricketers, umpires and administrators who can contribute to decisions on scheduling and the wider structure of Indian cricket.
He believes such a system could bring greater balance to an ecosystem increasingly dominated by an overcrowded calendar.
The former captain’s comments also highlight the growing challenge faced by modern cricketers, who are required to move rapidly between international series, domestic competitions and lucrative franchise leagues.
With the international calendar for 2027 and beyond already becoming a major subject of discussion, Gavaskar’s intervention has renewed the debate over how much cricket is too much.
His central argument is that protecting players and strengthening domestic cricket must go hand in hand if India is to continue producing a strong national team.