Two rumours in less than 48 hours makes us wonder if there is a fresh rift between players and BCCI Whenever team India faces a huge defeat of the magnitude it faced at Dambulla the other night at the hands of New Zealand, there are always a swarm of rumours that do the rounds. This time, 2 such ‘rumours’ that have caught cricket lovers’ imagination..
Rumour 2 - Players shoot off a letter to BCCI to complain about 'excessive cricket'
We take a look at what could have led to theses rumours and if there is any possibility of truth behind them.
Rumour 1
The demoralising defeat at the hands of the kiwis has certainly left the BCCI fuming. It was one of the worst defeats of all-time for Team India and it came at a time when the Board has been bugged by enough off-the-field problems. The tri-series schedule has India playing its next match against Sri Lanka on 16th following which its next match is on 22nd. The initial plan according to sources was for Team India to take a 3-day break from 17th to 19th when the players fly back to India and spend a short time with their family. But, following the enormity of defeat against New Zealand, the BCCI has decided against giving the players the reprieve. If the 'rumour' is true, why did the BCCI do this? Was it a case of 'punishment' to players? The jury is certainly out on that front but what has followed is even more interesting. Barely a day after the 'punishment' saga, there is the second 'rumour' that is doing the rounds..
Rumour 2
Players and team think-tank shoot off a letter to the BCCI on the issue of 'excessive' cricket. This is a bigger and a serious issue especially with the 2011 World Cup just a few months away. The Indian players have perennially complained of 'burnout' syndrome even as the BCCI remained worried only about its coffers. To understand this 'rumour' better, let us take a look at the schedule ahead of Team India..
October 2010 - 2 Tests and 3 ODIs against Australia (Home)
November/December 2010 - 3 tests and 5 ODIs against New Zealand (Home)
December 2010 /January 2011- 3 Tests, 5 ODIs and 1 T20 against South Africa (Away)
February 2011- World Cup in the sub-continent
This effectively means from October to January, India plays 8 test matches and 13 ODIs in a period of 4 months and that can be certainly 'painful' for an ageing Indian side. What was most funny in the calendar is the fact that India go into the World Cup 2011 with a two-month away tour of South Africa as their preparation. This will put serious pressure on the team as conditions in South Africa are radically different from those in the sub-continent. The BCCI could wash off its hands from the calendar factor by merely saying it is a part of the FTP (Fixed tour programme) of the ICC.
Rumours are rumours but the truth remains the BCCI may be the richest cricket body in the world but it certainly is 'poor' when it comes to its strategies and planning.
