Former India batter Gautam Gambhir stated that top Indian players should prioritise playing ODIs during the World Cup year and that it is perfectly fine if some of them miss the Indian T20 League matches in 2023. According to Gambhir, Indian cricket is the primary stakeholder, and the Indian T20 League is merely a byproduct of Indian cricket.
Gambhir, the mentor of the Indian T20 League franchise Lucknow, stated that the franchises should be prepared to suffer in order to ensure that India’s big names arrive at the World Cup in full fitness and peak form.
In an interview with Star Sports, Gambhir stated that the Indian T20 League takes place every year and that the main goal for all stakeholders in Indian cricket in 2023 should be to ensure that players are ready to give their all at the 50-over World Cup.
“Look, if the franchises have to suffer, they have to suffer. Indian cricket is the main stakeholder, not the IPL. IPL is just the byproduct, so if India goes on to win the World Cup, that’s the bigger vision,” Gambhir said.
“If an important player misses the IPL, so be it. IPL happens every year, World Cup happens only once in 4 years. For me, winning the World cup is far more important than winning the IPL,” he added.
Indian Cricket Board’s review meeting
In its review meeting on January 1, the Indian cricket board stated that workload management and player availability will be prioritised in the run-up to the World Cup, which will be held in India in October-November.
“Keeping in mind the Men’s FTP and preparations for ICC CWC 2023, the NCA will work in tandem with the IPL Franchisee to monitor the targeted Indian players participating in the IPL 2023,” the Board had said.
Gambhir also stated that India has made the mistake of not consistently playing their best XI in the run-up to major tournaments in recent years and that it is critical that the big names are available for ODIs in 2023, even if it means missing T20Is and a few league cricket matches.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Gautam Gambhir’s statement
Still we will be losing doesn't matter if they takes whole ipl rest.Better stop expecting trophy from them.
— Wrong Brothers? (@YoungLa95073370) January 4, 2023
If bcci wants their player to rest then don't allow them in IPL. There's no point in to rest during IPL matches. IPL > World Cup
— mahi (@TheJinxyyyy) January 4, 2023
Gambhir should take responsibility that kl Rahul play whole ipl
— Mr Wrong ? (@wrong_huihui) January 4, 2023
100% agree. It's a WORLD CUP.
I think Rohit/Virat/Bumrah/Shami should think about the break bcoz their fitness is very vital for the World Cup.— subham tripathi (@tripathi_subhm) January 4, 2023
Start with KLR then
— alubalusaru (@alubalusaru) January 4, 2023
Is Gambhir the only person speaking about Indian cricket these days?
— Edged&Taken (@EdgedandTakenn) January 4, 2023
So will GG rest KL Rahul from the playing XI of LSG ?
Easy to say, difficult to implement .
— Nilay Shah (@iamNilay90) January 4, 2023
Well said ??
— Eyed (@meownces) January 4, 2023
Need to see his reaction when kl rahul accepts this and takes a break from ipl for wc23.
— Cric-Pod (@CricketProdigy) January 4, 2023
They didn't took rest in 2019 and their perfomance was really good in the tournament.
— ???????? ?? (@SIK__AND__AR) January 4, 2023
