Picture Credit: Twitter
The sports media has been extremely critical of the Indian team after their defeat in the semi-final of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022 against England. India was playing according to their favourite tag but suffered a shocking 10-wicket loss against the Three Lions in Adelaide.
Former Indian batter and 1983 World Cup winner Sunil Gavaskar has been extremely vocal about the Indian team throughout the marquee tournament. Reacting to the loss, the Little Master made some harsh comments about the Indian players’ commitment towards the national side.
Gavaskar believes that the players have been prioritising the Indian Premier League and hence they raise issues of fatigue and workload while playing international games and tournaments. While speaking to Aaj Tak, the Mumbai-born batter said, “Aap IPL khelte hain, poora season khelte hain, vahan aap travelling karte hain… sirf pichhla IPL 4 centres me hua tha, baaki sab jagah aap idhar-udhar daudte rehte hain."
"Vahan par aapko thakaan nahi hoti? Vahan workload nahi hota? Sirf jab Bharat ke liye khelna hota hai, vo bhi tab jab aap non-glamorous countries me jaate hain, tab aapka workload banta hai? Ye baat galat hai", Gavaskar further stated.
(Translation: You play in the whole season of IPL and travel from one place to other. You don't get tired there? Is there no workload? Only when you play for India, especially when you have to tour a non-glamorous country, do you remember the workload? This is wrong).
Gavaskar also believes that the BCCI has been pampering the players and hence the board must take some serious action regarding the issue. He also wants the Indian players to give away their retainer fee if they are not playing because of workload reasons.
The 73-year-old said, “Workload aur fitness saath me nahi ho sakte. Agar aap fit hai, toh workload ka sawaal kahan aaya? Ham Marathi me kehte hain, ki thoda laad karte hain, vo thoda kam karein. Ham aapko team me le rahe hain, ham aapko kaafi retainer fee bhi de rahe hain. Agar aapko workload ki vajah se aap khel nahi rahe, fir retainer fee bhi nikaalein.”
(Translation: If you're fit, how does workload come into picture? Stop pampering the players. You're being picked in team, you're being paid a retainer fee. If you can't play because of workload, waive off the retainer fee too)