Just when you thought that the Indians would get a long break after the Asia Cup before going off to Australia, the BCCI does it again. A series against West Indies is put together and it’s the same old story.
2 Tests, 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is – that’s how many matches we are playing. There is hardly any gap between the England tour and the Asia Cup and now the West Indies series means a packed schedule as they head to Australia. A packed schedule results in too much cricket and the risk of burnout and fatigue comes in.
BCCI
For all you know, it will be a tired bunch of cricketers headed Down Under. But the real reason to worry is something else entirely.
Barring any major miracles, West Indies should not give India too much trouble in their own backyard. In fact one expects our bowlers to have a field day and batsmen to make merry. And just like that, we shall feel on top of the world and believe that nobody can bring us down. All this only to be brought down to reality when we face the Aussies on the fast bouncy tracks.
BCCI
What could have been an alternative? Some rest to the players! Maybe a bit of domestic cricket to get some match practice is fine, but a full fledged series? Now that is a little too much. West Indies seem to be there for that reason. Anytime India need to feel good about themselves, it’s either them or Sri Lanka who are called in. Given the horror show underway in England, our boys could use an ego boost but this will only prove to be a false dawn if we fail in Australia.
BCCI
The year started to lose steam once we went outside our comfort zone. It remains to be seen how the West Indies series has an impact once we engage the World Champions in their own den.