The forthcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season may require Indian players to balance a number of obligations. Since participants might also be required to participate in red-ball activities, it is unlikely that the full two-month time will be exclusively white-ball. This makes sense given the five-match away Test series that follows the IPL in England in June and July.
In order to keep players interested in Test cricket, or the red-ball format, during the IPL season, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is developing a plan. Players will probably be invited to take part in sporadic red-ball practices or partake in unusual activities designed just for them.
The five-match Test series will start in Headingley on June 20 and the IPL will run from March 22 to May 25.
Although the specifics of the plan’s implementation are being kept under wraps, some initial conversations about the overlapping system have already been held. In Dubai, where the players are presently participating in the Champions Trophy campaign, talks between the important members of the Indian team management and BCCI planners were conducted.
After Sunday’s India-Pakistan match in Dubai, the decision-makers had a quick discussion about the path for these mixed activities. Following the Champions Trophy’s conclusion on March 9, more meetings are anticipated. Less than two weeks later, the IPL is scheduled to start.
The BCCI often lets players concentrate on their teams during the IPL without interfering too much with their duties. Nonetheless, the BCCI think tank has taken note of the pattern of India’s defeats in all but one away series against England following the IPL. For instance, the host team won 3-1 in the 2014 series, India lost 4-1 in 2018, while the 2011 series finished in a 4-0 loss.
It’s interesting to note that the last away series in 2021 finished in a 2-2 draw; prior to the COVID intervention in the summer of that year, India was leading the series 2-1. The series was divided, with the final Test being played a year later. Nonetheless, recent test results are being taken seriously by the BCCI. Following a rare series loss to New Zealand (3-0) at home, India lost 3-1 in Australia.
It is evident that preparations have already started, even though the BCCI has not yet disclosed the precise details of how it intends to keep players fit and ready for Test cricket.
