Former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Rajeev Shukla on Friday backed India captain Virat Kohli after the Indian captain raised concerns over the tight scheduling which his team has been facing in the international front. While taking a dig at the scheduling of their tour of New Zealand within five days of finishing a home series against Australia, Virat Kohli said on Thursday that cricketers are “getting closer and closer to landing at the stadium and playing straight.” Here he got the support of Rajeev Shukla who also thought the same way.

“I agree with Virat Kohli that calendar is too hectic. There should not be back to back matches and series as well. Players must get some rest and also enough time to get acclimatised,” Shukla tweeted.

He also about to blame the erstwhile Committee of Administrators (CoA) for the busy schedule throughout the year.

“CoA should have kept this in mind before finalising the schedule,” Shukla said.

India are currently playing against New Zealand in a five-match T20I series which has started from Friday. After the end of the series, three One Day International series against the same opponent will take place. Moreover, they will play two Tests as well. Virat Kohli said the short break is tough while they have a busy international calendar.

“Well, it’s definitely getting closer and closer to landing at the stadium and playing straight. That’s how compressed the game has become but I think this kind of travel and coming to a place, which is seven hours ahead of India time, is always difficult to adjust to immediately,” Virat Kohli said on the eve of the first T20I in Auckland.

However, India started their away tour with a convincing win where they won the 1st T20I by 6 wickets on the back of some wonderful knocks by KL Rahul, Kohli and Shreyas Iyer.