'Too Much Cricket' - Salman Butt Reckons India Should Start Rotating Players To Prevent Debacles Like Adelaide And Headingley

Salman Butt opined that India should consider the rest and rotation of players in view of their hectic schedule. This opinion of the former Pakistan captain came after Virat Kohli’s side was bowled out for 78 in the Headingley Test; India had suffered a worse malfunction last year in Adelaide where they succumbed to their lowest-ever innings total, 36, against Australia.

England pacers routed through India’s batting order and picked all ten wickets in 40.4 overs; the batsmen had lasted 21.2 overs in the Adelaide debacle.

Salman Butt stated that such shambolic performances occur because the players have been burnt out from “too much cricket”, both physically and mentally.

In his YouTube video, Salman Butt said, “There is no doubt that Team India are a top team. They have proved themselves all over the world. But if I have to analyze their below-par performances like 36 all out in Adelaide and 78 here at Headingley, I would put it down to too much cricket.”

“Team India play a lot of cricket and their schedule is completely crammed. When you play too much cricket, no matter how good or professional you are, as a human, sometimes the mind just doesn’t respond. When your focus level falls, your output is bound to decrease. I feel Team India must start rotating their players.”

They need to rotate two three players and have the arsenal: Salman Butt

While one contingent of the Indian team is on the tour of England for the WTC final and the Test series, another squad travelled to Sri Lanka for white-ball matches. Five days after the England series the players will feature in the second half of the IPL in the UAE.

Last year also, the players flew to Australia straight after completing the IPL 2020 in the UAE.

Salman Butt added that since India have a solid bench strength – Ravichandran Ashwin has been left out for three Tests in England – they should seriously opt for resting and rotating their players.

“You can imagine the amount of matches Team India cricketers are playing. Remember, recently, they had to send a second team to Sri Lanka because of excess engagement. There are no doubts over the quality and skills of Team India’s players. But I feel too much of cricket has got to them. They need to rotate two three players and have the arsenal. Ravichandran Ashwin and Shardul Thakur can come in. They can play another batsman as well,” the 36-year-old maintained.