India head coach Rahul Dravid explained the reason behind India cricketers’ non-participation in overseas leagues following the team’s defeat to England in the T20 World Cup 2022 semifinal.
India’s wait for an elusive ICC trophy triumph continues, as the 2007 T20 World Cup champions crashed out of the 2022 edition with a crushing 10-wicket defeat to England in the semifinal at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.
The Men in Blue managed 168/6 after being put in to bat, riding on fifties from Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli. England completed the chase with a staggering four overs remaining, courtesy of blistering knocks from Alex Hales (86* off 47) and Jos Buttler (80* off 49).
England seem to have benefitted at the T20 World Cup with their players having played in the Big Bash League in the past. Hales, Adil Rashid, Chris Jordan and Phil Salt have all played for Adelaide Strikers in the past, while Buttler too, has represented Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades.
India head coach Dravid admitted that England had the advantage of their players having the experience of the conditions via the BBL, but stated that the same isn’t quite possible in India’s case.
“Sure, there’s no doubt about it the fact that a lot of their (England) players have come here and played. In this tournament, it certainly showed. It’s tough. I think it’s very difficult for Indian cricket because a lot of these tournaments happen right in the peak of our season,”
he said during a post-match media interaction.
Dravid observed that a lot of overseas leagues clash with Indian domestic competitions, and participation abroad would compromise their preparation and development in Test cricket. He further cited the example of the West Indies in recent years, given how the team has been affected across the international formats.
“You’d see all our boys, like a lot of boys being asked to play leagues right bang in the middle of our season.
We’ve seen what that’s done to West Indian cricket, and I would definitely not want Indian cricket to go that way. It would certainly affect our Ranji trophy; it would affect Test cricket.”
