Shardul Thakur's sizzling 109 runs managed to put Mumbai in command in the Ranji Trophy semifinal against Tamil Nadu. After this significant innings, Thakur extended a request to BCCI citing that the schedule that's been run this season can put players at risk.
The Mumbai all-rounder said that the BCCI should relook next year's Ranji Trophy schedule as playing 10 matches with just three-day gaps between games could lead to injuries to players.
"It's difficult for players to adjust to the three-day gap between knockout matches, which was not the case earlier. It's difficult because we are playing first-class games in (a) three days' gap that has never happened in Ranji Trophy season ever", Thakur told the media here after making a fine century in the semifinal against Tamil Nadu.
"You know the schedule is becoming tighter and tighter. If boys keep playing like this for two more seasons, there will be a lot of injuries across the country. Next year, they (the BCCI) have to re-look at it and give more break", he added.
Thakur teamed up with Hardik Tamore (35) for a crucial 105-run stand for the eighth wicket and took Mumbai further ahead in the company of Kotian, adding another 79 runs for the ninth wicket. Using his blade to perfection, Thakur was adroit with his hands to pierce gaps at will and did not miss out clearing the field with disdain four times for maximums — one of which also brought up his maiden century across formats.
He said a few years back players got more days in between matches in the Ranji Trophy. "When I remember playing Ranji Trophy back in the days, good 7-8 years back, (the) first three games used to have a three-day break and then it was (a) four-day break and knockouts were played on five-day breaks. Now this year, we have seen that all the games have been played on (a) a three-day gap. It is extremely tough on domestic players to expect them to play ten games in a row with just a three-day gap if the team makes it to the finals".
First Published: Mar 4, 2024 12:21 AM IST
