The BCCI Board will not make too many changes before the ODI World Cup, which is slated to take place in India later this year, it became clear shortly after the BCCI review meeting last Sunday. A bad World Cup is the last thing the cricket governing body wants because it ranks organizing a quality World Cup in India among its highest priorities.
It was also disclosed that 20 players had already been shortlisted. During the build-up, a small number of this chosen group will be cycled. The strategy, albeit audacious at first glance, received harsh criticism from cricket enthusiasts and professionals. Irfan Pathan, a former cricketer for India, was one of those experts who claimed that a group of 20 players would be sufficient.
He highlighted that the marquee event is nine months away and how injuries could derail BCCI’s plans. “World Cup is still nine months away, you can’t have just 20 players and rotate them and forget about the rest. The coaches at the NCA are in direct contact with Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, and the coaches (of the Indian team). There were 33 targeted players in their list apart from the contracted list that we have,” said Irfan.
“So, that’s a big pool of players that we are talking about not just twenty. Twenty can’t be enough because if something goes wrong, be the injury or their form…. nine months is a long long time. So, you need a bigger pool of players,” he added.
