Bhuvneshwar Kumar bats for workload management: The Indian pacer has hinted at players managing their workload in IPL 2019.
India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar was continually on the road since India’s tour of Australia had begun. While he didn’t play in any of the four Test matches, he was a part of the squad. Having played during the limited-overs leg of India’s tour of Australia and New Zealand, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was given rest for a couple of T20Is and ODIs against Australia at home.
The third ODI of the ongoing Australia’s tour of India at Ranchi is most likely to see Bhuvneshwar getting included into India’s playing XI. The remaining three ODIs will be followed by a grueling season of the Indian Premier League.
While the same speaks of the most competitive preparation for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, it also brings alongside a serious ramification of players getting injured during the cash-rich league.
The packed nature of the tournament unequivocally has it in it to cause a niggle or two to players. That being said, no team would want any of its player to get injured before the world event.
“We will have to manage our workload”
Speaking during the pre-match press conference at Ranchi, Bhuvneshwar opened up on the much-discussed topic of workload management. The 29-year old cricketer hinted at players opting for rest during the second half of IPL 2019.
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“That [workload management] is something that’s there in all of our minds. We have to manage everything. We cannot decide how much we are going to play or workload management. It will come into play after the first half of IPL.
“[After] six-seven matches, we can know how we can approach the second half of IPL and what we need to do to remain fit for the World Cup. Yes, it (World Cup) is there on our minds but we’ll look after [out fitness] in the second half of IPL,” Bhuvneshwar was quoted as saying.
Franchises who are doing well might afford resting their key players during the 12th season of the IPL. However, franchises who will find themselves on the other end of the points table will have to take a serious call on whether they aim at resting their key players.
“World Cup is very important for players and BCCI”
While Bhuvneshwar spoke against surety regarding the same, he also laid emphasis on franchises wanting to cooperate because the World Cup is a very important thing for both players and the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India).
ALSO READ: Ravi Shastri concerned about players’ fitness during IPL 2019
“There isn’t a surety for anything. Yes there is something which is in mind, if I feel that I am tired, then we can take rest. Of course, it is up to the franchise. I am sure they will cooperate with each and every player because World Cup is a very important thing for us and BCCI may also talk to them.
“This is something which is in mind, no surety that we’re going to take rest and we’re not going to play, but we’ll see after the first round of games,” Bhuvneshwar added.
Earlier, India captain Virat Kohli had also been vocal about the same where he didn’t hesitate to say that IPL will be challenging. However, he also emphasized on the players needing to understand what will be the best for them.
“The amount you practice, with the amount of travel during the IPL and the number of games in different conditions, in different temperatures, it is going to be challenging, to be honest.
“But as a cricketer, you have to map out how many practice sessions you really need. If you are hitting the ball well, there is no need to go to a practice session and tire yourself out for three hours whereas you can utilise that particular phase to rest and recover even more,” Kohli was quoted.
How Twitter reacted:
Ranchi braces itself for the 3rd ODI between #TeamIndia and Australia #INDvAUS @Paytm pic.twitter.com/58oTPxLYlF
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 7, 2019
Gearing up for Ranchi – 📸📸 from #TeamIndia‘s training session before the 3rd ODI against Australia #INDvAUS @Paytm pic.twitter.com/WstXhrRa9T
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 7, 2019
#INDvAUS | After 500th ODI win, Virat Kohli and Co on the cusp of another big milestone#AusVsInd #RanchiODI
(Via @HTSportsNews)https://t.co/cv1eYt8AvO pic.twitter.com/fxUiqF5JY7
— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) March 7, 2019
The first international cricket match at the JSCA Intl Stadium Complex at Ranchi was on 19 January 2013, an ODI btw India & England.#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/IBa9QDsBis
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 7, 2019
The third ODI between India and Australia will be played at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi tomorrow.
