We cannot micro-manage workload and fitness of players during IPL: BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia (AFP Photo) MUMBAI: On Tuesday, the BCCI announced that Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have been selected for the series against Afghanistan, following BCCI’s approval. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah (workload management) and senior left-arm spinners Ravindra Jadeja (injury) and Axar Patel have been rested since the series. There were reports of ‘mystery spinner’ Varun Chakaravarthy bowling for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL despite breaking his big toe, while the Punjab Kings had some confusion over whether Arshdeep Singh was carrying a left-arm niggle. Injuries and burnout among Indian players forced the selectors to rest several regulars in the short home series against Afghanistan, comprising a one-off Test and three ODIs, reigniting a long-standing argument: Can or should the BCCI “control” the workload of the board’s centrally contracted players during the IPL?BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told TOI on Wednesday that “BCCI cannot micro-manage the workload and fitness of players during the IPL.”“We cannot micro-manage the workload and fitness of the players during the IPL because otherwise it will interfere with the functioning of the franchises by the BCCI in terms of the activities of their teams and players,” Saikia told this newspaper from Guwahati. Saikia said during a virtual press conference on Tuesday that clarified the injury management protocols for centrally contracted players while playing in the IPL, “When it comes to the IPL, the franchisees take care of the injuries and fitness of the players. Of course, our physios at the Center of Excellence (in Bengaluru) also monitor them, give them a plan to keep them fit. We don’t interfere too much when the IPL is going on.” “Had it been an Indian team situation, our scrutiny would have been more. We are now giving freedom to franchisees to take calls on their players and we will definitely look at their fitness for national team selection,” Saikia said.