New Delhi: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has called for a rethink of India’s packed cricket calendar, warning that players cannot be expected to keep moving from one series and tournament to another without adequate rest.
In his column for Sportstar, Gavaskar said the International Cricket Council (ICC) should consider the workload on Indian cricketers while preparing the next four-year international calendar, beginning in 2027.
His comments come amid growing concerns over player injuries and workload. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had recently linked the increasing number of injuries in Indian cricket to the heavy volume of matches played by the team.
Gavaskar made his point strongly, saying Indian cricketers are “neither machines nor sugarcane” that can be continuously squeezed for every last drop. He believes the upcoming discussions on the international cricket calendar should take player workload and adequate recovery time seriously.
The former opener also raised a larger concern about the state of Indian cricket. According to him, the national team should not be considered synonymous with Indian cricket as a whole. He described the India team as a “by-product” of the wider domestic cricket system.
India's bench strength has often been praised, with suggestions that the country could field multiple competitive teams. However, Gavaskar argued that depth on paper does not automatically guarantee a steady supply of world-class players.
He stressed that domestic cricket needs greater attention if India wants to maintain a strong pipeline of talent. According to Gavaskar, recent results have shown that having several players available does not necessarily translate into consistent success at the highest level.
The former captain also pointed towards the importance of performances in upcoming competitions, including the Asian Games. He expressed his hope that both India's men's and women's teams can win gold and gain confidence for future challenges.
Gavaskar's comments come at a time when the cricket calendar has become increasingly crowded, with international series, major ICC events, franchise leagues and domestic competitions all competing for players' time.
The debate over workload management has become particularly important as modern cricket demands high levels of fitness across formats. Regular travel, limited recovery periods and the pressure of playing multiple competitions can increase the risk of injuries and fatigue.
With the ICC set to discuss the international schedule for the 2027-31 cycle, Gavaskar's call has put the spotlight on whether the existing calendar needs to be reorganised.
His central message is clear: protecting players and strengthening domestic cricket should be given greater importance if India wants long-term success across formats.
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