Published 15:48 IST, February 5th 2021
Ravi Shastri has special request for Sourav Ganguly on behalf of India after IPL 2021 ends
Indian head coach Ravi Shastri expresses his request for the Sourav Ganguly-led BCCI administration after the conclusion of the upcoming IPL 2021 season.
Advertisement
The India vs England 1st Test match went underway on Friday morning at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The series continues India’s hectic cricketing calendar, as they recently toured Australia for a full-fledged series for two months. Prior to the Australian tour, the players participated in the hectic Indian Premier League 2020 (IPL 2020) season in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where they remained under a strict bio-bubble in wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Also Read | Ashoke Dinda Thanks Sourav Ganguly On Retirement, Lauded By Fans For All His Contributions
Ravi Shastri believes Indian players need a break from the game post IPL 2021
Indian head coach Ravi Shastri and captain Virat Kohli recently interacted with the Star Sports Network. During the interview, coach Shastri talked about India’s hectic cricketing schedule and the impact it has been having on the players. The former Indian all-rounder described the constant stay within the bio-secure bubbles as “mentally draining” for the cricketers.
Ravi Shastri said that the players will be requiring a break from the game at some point, as they have been playing non-stop cricket for months. He pleaded the Sourav Ganguly-led Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to give players a break for at least a couple of weeks after the conclusion of the IPL 2021 season. Shastri added that “these quarantine” times can be “mentally draining” and the players are still “humans at the end of it all”.
Ravi Shastri’s comments came after India’s hectic tour of Australia, where as many as eight frontline Indian players (including KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah) sustained injuries at some point. Moreover, pacers like Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were not even part of the touring party as they succumbed to injuries during the IPL 2020 run in the UAE.
A special Test series triumph in Australia
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 5, 2021
A new chapter in life
Return of international cricket in India
DO NOT MISS: #TeamIndia skipper @imVkohli and Head Coach @RaviShastriOfc get candid. 😎👌
Watch the full interview 🎥 https://t.co/9gffUQG2I2 @Paytm #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/ISg5TzMPXn
India vs England 1st Test and series updates
The ongoing India vs England Test series forms a part of the in]augural ICC World Test Championship. The two teams are currently competing against each other in a bid to secure a date with New Zealand in the final of the Championship. The India vs England 1st Test match is scheduled to be played up until February 9 in Chennai.
Also Read | 'Pujara Will Be A Huge Wicket': Root Acknowledges England's Daunting Task Ahead Of Tests
England captain Joe Root won the toss and opted to bat first. At the time of publishing, the visitors reached 205-2 off 74 overs. Opener Dom Sibley (67*) and Root (94*) were batting at the crease. Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, off-spinner R Ashwin was also among the wickets as he dismissed opener Rory Burns for 33.
1st Test. 67.1: W Sundar to J Root (68), 4 runs, 175/2 https://t.co/VJF6Q6jMis #INDvENG @Paytm
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 5, 2021
Image source: AP
15:47 IST, February 5th 2021