IPL or WI tour ?

[ravishingravi]

It almost seems certain that top Indian players will be rested for WI tour, but they are playing in IPL. For me clearly their priorities are misplaced esp. after becoming World Champions, when it is probably a great chance for Indian cricket to be dominant for next 2 years or so. Where do you stand on this ? Should players have pulled out of IPL for representing Indian cricket. You can see how dog tired some of the players are esp. Dhoni and Yuvraj.

[BERGKAMP]

I'm already tired of just watching the IPL grind so can't imagine how the players are feeling, but as always MONEY TALKS.

[Rajma Chawal]

Do you guys really think the BCCI will let the players skip the IPL? The IPL brings a lot of moolah into the board's coffers and the players will be under pressure from them to play.

[ravishingravi]

Do you guys really think the BCCI will let the players skip the IPL? The IPL brings a lot of moolah into the board's coffers and the players will be under pressure from them to play.

Do you think if Dhoni wants to say No, he can be bullied by BCCI

[saneindian]

Do you think if Dhoni wants to say No' date=' he can be bullied by BCCI[/quote'] Remember how an unfit Sachin was forced to play the later half of IPL-1 under pressure from BCCI and the franchise? Otheriwse too, on a WI tour at least for the ODI leg, even without IPL, one would expect some youngsters to be given a chance. And for tests too, there is no harm in trying a few youngsters especially when we have the experience of the test specialists in Dravid and VVS. All we need to ensure is we don't end up sending a completely young team (especially in the bowling), the mistake that we made during that Zimbabwe tri series.

[Pak_Forever]

Board's hunger for money has turned these players into donkeys. I feel for Dhoni and co. Someone like Dhoni wouldn't give a rat about the money but I bet he gets pressurized by the board. Apart from IPL, BCCI always make sure that their team is always playing even in international arena. For last few years I doubt if a month goes by without Indian cricket.

[Alchemist]

Board's hunger for money has turned these players into donkeys. I feel for Dhoni and co. Someone like Dhoni wouldn't give a rat about the money but I bet he gets pressurized by the board. Apart from IPL, BCCI always make sure that their team is always playing even in international arena. For last few years I doubt if a month goes by without Indian cricket.

Thats what might have helped them win. With Kirsten at helm, they used this overload to their advantage by rotating and trying new people. But over all I dont support IPL so near to the WC...I missed the Parade :((

[Ultimate_Game]

It almost seems certain that top Indian players will be rested for WI tour' date=' but they are playing in IPL. For me clearly their priorities are misplaced esp. after becoming World Champions, when it is probably a great chance for Indian cricket to be dominant for next 2 years or so. Where do you stand on this ? Should players have pulled out of IPL for representing Indian cricket. You can see how dog tired some of the players are esp. Dhoni and Yuvraj.[/quote'] Come on, you can't expect cricketers, or any professional sportsman for that matter, to turn their backs on the riches they will be earning in IPL. Even though personally I would be upset to see top players sitting out and maybe India not getting the results they would have if the top players were in the team, I cannot blame the players for it. A professional sportsperson's career has a short span and can be further reduces due to a freak injury, accident or selectors' whims & fancies. You can't possibly grudge players for making as much money as possible and securing their and their families' future. I mean who would turn his/her back on a million dollars for 6 weeks of effort? Let's face it if you, I or anyone else would have been in the players' shoes we would have done the exact same thing. At least I would have definitely played IPL and then thought about the other tours and commitments. It is unfair to expect different standards and code of conduct when we ourselves would have done the same exact thing and I hope people don't post hypocritical stuff just because players earn lot more than most of us ever will or just because some ppl may not like IPL.

[Zap_Brannigan]

Indian players are quiet powerful. If they want to sit out, they could. But if people here want players to skip IPL to play in an inconsequential tour, then why dont you quit your job in US or UK, go back to India and take a govt. job? No? Then STFU about asking players do the same. This is WI. When was the last time WI won against the top 8 team? 2 years ago or something. For me, its WI Tests > IPL >>>>>>WI ODIs. If any player wants to skip any game, its their right.

[Ultimate_Game]

Indian players are quiet powerful. If they want to sit out' date= they could. But if people here want players to skip IPL to play in an inconsequential tour, then why dont you quit your job in US or UK, go back to India and take a govt. job? No? Then STFU about asking players do the same. This is WI. When was the last time WI won against the top 8 team? 2 years ago or something. For me, its WI Tests > IPL >>>>>>WI ODIs. If any player wants to skip any game, its their right.

The question should not even be about the WI tour. Let's assume it was Aus, SA or Eng tour I would have still backed players to opt out of the tours in preference of IPL. Everyone has the right to do what's good for themselves and families and cricketers are no exception. Who are we, or anyone for that matter, who can decide for the players or judge players based on which tournament they decide to play. I would have done exactly the same thing the players are doing and I wouldn't be criticizing the players for the choice they make. However if I have to fault anyone it will be BCCI as they should have the best interests of Indian cricket at heart. They should have seen this coming and should have either cancelled WI tour or rescheduled it to some other time. It's amazing our team is performing the way it is inspite of BCCI.

[Zap_Brannigan]

The question should not even be about the WI tour. Let's assume it was Aus, SA or Eng tour I would have still backed players to opt out of the tours in preference of IPL. Everyone has the right to do what's good for themselves and families and cricketers are no exception. Who are we, or anyone for that matter, who can decide for the players or judge players based on which tournament they decide to play. I would have done exactly the same thing the players are doing and I wouldn't be criticizing the players for the choice they make. However if I have to fault anyone it will be BCCI as they should have the best interests of Indian cricket at heart. They should have seen this coming and should have either cancelled WI tour or rescheduled it to some other time. It's amazing our team is performing the way it is inspite of BCCI.

Precisely. Irrespective of the opponent, it is up to the player to decide who and when he wants to play, provided he gets selected ofcourse. If BCCI thinks that they are sitting out too many games, then they would be welcome to cut off their annual retainer. Players are not slaves. Yes, part of the blame should be put on BCCI for cramping so many games into the cricket calendar. Part of the blame should also be put on ICC for having an ICC tournament every year and certain rules about FTP. FTP doesnt give BCCI the freedom to play the big teams at the cost of the small teams. 15 years ago, ICC kept their pieholes shut when Eng and Aus played each other and their preferred opposition more than the minnows. In early 90's, Aus played half off their games against the then big team WI and traditional rivals England. But when India wanting to do the same, its suddenly not fair to the other teams. If BCCI had its way, India would have more home games than Away games, more games against the bigger teams etc., like how Aus and Eng used to do. So we could have had less but more quality cricket.