Former India bowler and 1983 World Cup winner Balvinder Singh Sandhu has put forward an unusual idea to address the workload burden on India’s senior cricketers. Sandhu argued that the BCCI should consider deploying specialist fielders in domestic cricket and the IPL to help preserve the longevity of established names like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, writing on Writing in his Mid-Day column. The veteran pointed to the toll that international schedules take on ageing players, stressing that big names remain the key attraction for fans. “The magnets are the stars — Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah. Without them, this circus is just a cheap mela. Why kill the goose that lays the golden egg?” he wrote. The former cricketer questioned the need of putting big names through excessive fielding drills, noting that audiences mainly come to watch their batting or bowling. “Nobody buys a ticket to see Kohli dive at square leg. They come for a cover drive. Let substitutes do the fielding in domestic cricket, and remember, IPL is domestic cricket. Protect the stars, stretch their careers,” Sandhu suggested. Calling for the introduction of specialist fielders in the T20 format, Sandhu said six or seven such players could be used in domestic competitions, and that international stars could be exempted from intense fielding duties. “T20 here should have specialist fielders. Six or seven of them. Let the stars save their bodies for batting and bowling. Even in domestic cricket, internationals should play without breaking their backs. Youngsters will learn, seniors will last, and the game will gain,” he added. He also criticised the tendency to over-romanticise fielding, warning of the risks involved. “Diving catches look good in replays. They also send men into surgery,” Sandhu wrote.
Poll
Should the BCCI allow international players to skip certain fielding duties?
Pointing to the criticism faced by Jasprit Bumrah earlier this year for missing the Oval Test in England, Sandhu said the pacer had not been given the chance to explain his situation. He urged the board to allow players to present their perspective on workload management instead of facing unwarranted backlash.
