Last Update: Jan 09, 2023, 08:00 AM IST
Gautam Gambhir said that a player has to choose wisely in a World Cup year.
Furthermore, Gambhir also said that a player would have to make some tough decisions, which meant choosing ODIs over T20 Internationals, adding that the players needed to play ‘enough cricket together’ before the tournament. Is required.
2023 could be a make or break year for a lot of Indian cricketers, especially those looking to make a name for themselves and be remembered for years to come. It is 2023- the ODI World Cup year. And the likes of Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer would like to achieve what the MS Dhoni-led side achieved in 2011 that etched their name in history forever. Perhaps, it is the weight of winning the 50-over World Cup that is why we are still talking about Dhoni & Co. after 12 years. A home World Cup win in 2023 would surely immortalize someone like Hardik Pandya. But can he maintain the intensity that is needed for ultimate glory which is nine months away? Doesn’t this require exclusivity? Choosing ODI over T20I, India over IPL?
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Well, Gautam Gambhir, who helped India win the World Cup in 2011, opened up on Star Sports show Road to Glory and hit the nail on the head.
“If the franchise (IPL) has to suffer, then they have to suffer. Indian cricket is the main stakeholder. Not IPL. IPL is a byproduct. In such a situation, if India wins the World Cup, then it is a big opportunity. So if an important player doesn’t play in IPL, so be it. IPL happens every year, World Cup happens every four years.
Furthermore, he said that a player would have to make some tough calls, which meant choosing ODIs over T20Is, and also said that players needed to put ‘enough cricket together’ in the lead up to the tournament.
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He said, ‘If those playing all three formats want to take a break, they can take a break from T20. But certainly not in the ODI format,” he said.
“I think the biggest mistake Indian cricket has made in the last two World Cups is that these guys haven’t played enough cricket together. Tell me how many times have we got the best XI on the park. we did not.”
“Only at the time of World Cup (2022 T20 World Cup) we decided to have the best playing XI and unfortunately that was not the best playing XI.”
“So these guys have to play together even if they want to take a break, then the break should be in T20 and not in 50-over games,” he added.
India has started its preparations for the 2023 World Cup with a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka starting January 10 in Guwahati.
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