Sunil Gavaskar has urged the International Cricket Council and the Board of Control for Cricket in India to take a closer look at the workload placed on Indian cricketers. The former India captain believes players cannot be expected to keep playing an increasingly crowded schedule without adequate consideration for their physical demands. His comments come after a busy run of international assignments for India, with the team moving from one series to another across formats.

Gavaskar wants ICC to consider player workload

Writing in his Sportstar column, Gavaskar referred to discussions held recently about the state of Indian cricket and said he hoped the issue would receive attention when the ICC discusses the international calendar for the next four-year cycle beginning in 2027.

He argued that Indian cricketers should not be treated as if they can be continuously pushed through an endless workload. Gavaskar’s central concern is that the sheer volume of cricket could eventually affect player freshness, performance and the team’s ability to compete consistently for major trophies.

The former captain’s remarks also put responsibility on both the international governing body and Indian cricket’s administrators. With India among the busiest teams in international cricket, decisions about scheduling can have a direct impact on how often leading players are available across formats.

‘India team is not the same as Indian cricket’

Gavaskar also drew a distinction between the Indian national side and the wider domestic cricket structure. In his view, the India team is a product of Indian cricket, rather than being a complete representation of everything happening within the country’s cricket system.

He stressed that domestic cricket needs sustained attention because it provides the foundation from which future international players emerge. India has enough depth to field multiple sides at the same time, but Gavaskar questioned how long that approach can continue without putting additional pressure on the available player pool.

The concern is particularly relevant given the number of international fixtures being played across formats. While squad depth allows selectors to rotate players, Gavaskar believes excessive cricket could eventually make it harder for India to maintain the level required to win major tournaments regularly.

Bench strength alone may not solve the problem

India’s strong bench strength is often highlighted as one of its biggest advantages. Gavaskar acknowledged that having enough players to potentially put out three teams is a positive sign, but he cautioned that this should not be mistaken for an unlimited resource.

He pointed to recent results as evidence that depth by itself does not guarantee a steady run of trophies. In his assessment, the focus has to extend beyond the senior national team and include the domestic structure that develops the next generation of players.

Domestic cricket remains central to India’s pipeline

Gavaskar believes giving domestic cricket greater priority is essential for maintaining a strong talent pipeline. He argued that international success over the long term depends on continually producing players capable of competing against the best teams in the world.

He also expressed hope that success at the Asian Games could provide renewed confidence to India’s men’s and women’s teams. At the same time, his broader message remained focused on balance: international commitments are important, but the domestic game cannot be allowed to lose its place in the system.

As the ICC prepares to discuss the international calendar beyond 2027, Gavaskar’s comments have brought the issue of scheduling and player workload back into focus. For India, managing the balance between international cricket, domestic competitions and player recovery could become increasingly important in maintaining performance over the long term.