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Former Indian cricketer and 1983 World Cup champion Sandeep Patil has expressed strong disapproval of the concept of workload management for players. He specifically condemned the board's current management and its workload policies, particularly as they apply to star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
Sandeep Patil slams BCCI's workload management policy
Patil's comments come in the wake of a recent incident where pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah was rested for two Test matches during India's tour of England. The decision was made to manage Bumrah's workload, but it sparked a debate about the effectiveness and necessity of such a policy. The former India's chief selector said that the concept of resting a key player for a major series would have been entirely foreign during his time as a player or as a selector.
While the BCCI's cautious approach is likely influenced by Bumrah's injury following the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he played all five Tests, Patil remains steadfast in his opinion. He argues that despite the risk, sidelining an essential player during a crucial series is not the correct strategy for the team.
“I wonder how the BCCI is agreeing to all this? Is the physio more important than the captain, than the head coach? What about selectors? Are we to expect that the physio will be sitting in selection committee meetings now? Will he decide?”, Patil said while speaking to Mid-Day.
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Expanding on his viewpoint, Patil asserted that any player selected to represent the national team must possess the willingness to push themselves to their absolute limits. He maintained that earning a spot on the team carries an expectation of total commitment and sacrifice for the collective goal.
To support his argument, he drew comparisons to a previous era, citing examples of cricketing legends who famously played through pain and physical hardship for the team's cause. In his eyes, their dedication set a standard of resilience and a team-first mentality that he believes should remain a core principle of representing the country.
“When you are picked for your country, you die for your country. You are a warrior. I have seen Sunil Gavaskar bat on all five days of a match, I have seen Kapil Dev bowl on most days of a Test match and even bowl to us in the nets. They never asked for breaks, never complained, and their careers extended to 16-plus years. I did not miss the next Test after my head injury in Australia in 1981,” he added.
In his critique, Patil made a clear distinction between the physical resources available to cricketers now and in the past. He readily acknowledged that the current generation of players operates with the significant advantage of superior facilities, advanced medical support, and a more scientific approach to fitness and recovery.
However, Patil strongly argued that despite these modern conveniences, the previous generations of cricketers possessed a greater mental toughness and a deeper willingness to endure hardship. He insisted that what players from his era may have lacked in support systems, they compensated for with an unyielding commitment to the team, often prioritizing collective success over their own personal comfort and well-being.
“Modern-day players have all the facilities. We did not have such rehab programmes in our playing days. At times, we carried on playing despite injuries. Let us just say we were happy playing for the country no drama. I marvel at the strokes batsmen play now. In our time we used to be scolded by Sunil Gavaskar if we tried any fancy strokes, but times have changed and we accept that. What I cannot digest is how players are missing games,” he concluded.
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