IPL 2025: BCCI set to force India stars into exhausting double duty ahead of England Tests

Although the fever for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is on, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wants the player to focus on red-ball cricket. As per the reports in Cricbuzz, it is learned that the governing body will be forming a plan for the players to prepare for the England Tests during the league.

The reports claimed that BCCI will be asking the Test players to get involved in red-ball practice sessions or engage in unconventional activities tailored to targeted players. This is because the governing body wants to change the results of Tests, which haven't been good of late.

BCCI takes few preliminary meetings regarding the overlapping system, India team management is also involved

The 2025 edition of the IPL is scheduled to take place from March 22nd and the final is set to be played on 25th May. However, just after the series, Indian players will be flying to England for the five-match Test series, beginning in Headingley on June 20. It will also mark the start of the new World Test Championship edition.

It is also learned that the BCCI is yet to finalize the plan, but they have already been engaged in a few preliminary meetings regarding the overlapping system. Top officials, along with Indian team management, were engaged in discussions related to the same.

The next meeting of BCCI is set to take place after the conclusion of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy

It is reported that following the IND vs PAK game, the discussion among the decision-makers took place. The next meeting is set to take place after the conclusion of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy, which will end on March 9.

India's performances in England following the IPL have been very poor. The 2011 series ended in a 4-0 defeat, the 2014 series saw the home team winning 3-1, and in 2018, India suffered a 4-1 setback. This trend of losses has made BCCI think differently this time as they eye a series win in England after a long.

The last Test series that side played in England, however, saw a great performance from the Virat Kohli-led side. The visitors were leading the series 2-1 before the Covid intervention, and when the last game was played the next year, it saw England winning, and the series ending a draw by the margin of 2-2.

Recent Test losses have made BCCI worry a lot, wants players to focus on Tests

However, the recent Test losses have made BCCI worry a lot and hence they want players to engage in multiple roles during IPL 2025. The team faced a 3-0 whitewash against the New Zealand National Cricket Team at home and, after that, looked torrid in Australia. The Rohit Sharma-led side faced a 3-1 loss in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Although the details of BCCI's strategy are yet to be known, it is learned that planning for this has already begun. The Test series will be important for the Rohit Sharma-led side especially with the last two series not going their way. They would be keen to start the new cycle of the World Test Championship on high.

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