Ruling out Indian Premium League (IPL) matches affecting preparations of key members of the Indian cricket team for the forthcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in England, legendary stumper and erstwhile national chief selector Syed Kirmani on Monday said every team competing in the World Cup is dealing with an overdose of cricket.
Felicitation
Talking to The Hindu on the sidelines of a function organised by Mangalore University on Monday to felicitate sports achievers from the university, who have excelled in international and national sports competitions, Mr. Kirmani said there has been an overdose of cricket in the last 10 years and international cricketers have to deal with it.
“Every team is going through this. There is no other choice. Every team is carrying (members with) niggling injuries.” Moreover, cricket, he said, was a game of glorious uncertainties and success depended on luck and performance of the team.
The IPL is a great stage for cricketers and the players know how to switch from the Test format to the 50 over and the 20-20 format. “It’s all a matter of adjustments,” he said.
Mr. Kirmani said he was in favour of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik as the two specialist wicket-keepers in the Indian team for the World Cup.
“Rishabh Pant is an exciting wicket-keeper. He has time to make it to the World Cup squad,” he said.