No directive from the board to IPL teams to rest any players: BCCI official

The second leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is currently in progress in the UAE. The final is set to be played on October 15 and the Super 12 round of the T20 World Cup in the same country is scheduled to commence on October 23. Team India will be playing its first game on the next day against arch-rivals Pakistan.

A lot is being said about the players’ workload and the bubble fatigue during the COVID times. At the same time, in the first few matches of the second leg, the IPL teams have rested India’s World Cup-bound players. Mumbai Indians rested Rohit Sharma against CSK while the top all-rounder Hardik Pandya is yet to feature in the second leg.

Also, there is a thought that the BCCI has asked the franchises to take care of the Indian players featuring in the World Cup so that they don’t get injured. However, a BCCI official has cleared now that no such directive has been passed to the teams and the resting of players is a call that is to be taken by the franchises. The official further stated that the teams are aware of how to take care of their best players.

“We haven’t passed any information to any team with regards to workload management. If a player is rested, it has to be the call of the franchise and the player. Also, the franchises know how to take care of their players,” the official said according to cricket.com.

Franchise officials say no diktat from BCCI

One of the franchise officials has also confirmed that there has been no directive from the BCCI to rest their players. Rather the IPL teams are only considering the option given the heat and humidity in the UAE. The official also pointed out that the franchises have worked closely with the BCCI before regarding fitness of the players and will continue to do so.

“It is very hot and the humidity can sometimes get to even the fittest player in the team. So, we are looking to rotate some of the players with an eye on workload management. Players are always the priority and everyone is on the same page when it comes to this.

“But no, no diktat from the BCCI on this and honestly they also know it isn’t needed as franchises have always worked closely with the board in ensuring players are in top shape while playing the league,” the franchise official said.