In the aftermath of India’s big defeat to Australia in the World Test Championship final, Rohit Sharma lamented the lack of preparation time for a contest of such nature. The final of the WTC was scheduled a week after the IPL 2023 came to an end, and with nearly all India players part of the grueling season.
Rohit pointed out that Test cricket requires more discipline and a time of 20-25 days would have been ideal. However, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has dismissed the argument, claiming that it is the senior guys themselves who avoid traveling in advance for preparations since they know there is no threat to their spot in the team.
“What kind of preparation are we talking about? Now they have gone to the West Indies. You have the example of the World Test Championship before you. Are you playing any matches? So, what is this talk about 20-25 days?” Sunil Gavaskar told The Indian Express.
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After a month-long break, the Indian team returned to action with the West Indies tour, where they have taken a 1-0 lead in the two-match series after a massive innings win in Dominica last week.
“The team that the West Indies is today, you can go one day before the Test match and still beat them. But that should not blind us to the fact that when you talk about preparation, be genuine about it. Go 15 days before, play two warm-up matches. The main guys can rest, but the guys in the reserve, the fringe players, might be actually challenging some of the guys who are not doing well. He does not get an opportunity to show that he is good enough,” Gavaskar said.
He also pointed out how Indian players suffer frequent injuries despite claims of being one of the fittest teams in the world.
“The truth is the main guys do not want to go early because they know that come what may, they will get selected. When you go early they will talk about the workload. You call yourself the fittest team in the world or fitter than the earlier generations, then how do you break down so soon? How do you have a workload issue when you play a 20-overs game?” Sunil Gavaskar said.
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Sunil Gavaskar’s comments have sparked a debate about India’s preparation for the WTC final. Some fans have agreed with Gavaskar, while others have defended the team’s decision to rest the senior players before the final.
Only time will tell whether India will be able to overcome their preparation woes and win the WTC in the
