Failure to reach even the semi-finals of the recently concluded T20 World Cup, especially after all the hype, has made workload management a far more serious issue for Team India.

Led by former head coach Ravi Shastri, the Indians were vocal about the schedule, ruing the lack of a short break before going into the World Cup. But the grievances were expressed only after the team’s chances of making the last-four stage were no longer there.

Current T20I captain Rohit Sharma and new head coach Rahul Dravid look eager to deal with the matter straightaway, which should send a message across to those looking after the scheduling aspect.

Rohit minced no words while talking about the workload factor. “Workload management is, of course, very important to us. The players are not machines, so taking time off is absolutely necessary.

“Players remaining fresh is very important if they have to be at the top of their game. So obviously, we want all our players to be fresh mentally as well for the challenges ahead so that they can give their best shot with a proper, ideal approach.

“In this series too, some of the players have been rested, which is actually good as they can come back fresher and re-energised,” Rohit said on the eve of the first T20I versus New Zealand in Jaipur. Coach Dravid echoed the skipper, but also rightly pointed out that the packed schedule is something that other teams too have to tackle, not just India.

“Workload management is an important aspect of cricket. We see that in football too. The mental and physical well-being of players, thus, will be a priority.

“We need to do a balancing act and work towards having players fit for the big tournaments. However, other teams too are facing a similar situation. It’s not just us who are facing this problem.”

Players’ well-being

According to Dravid, striking a balance between the focus on winning consistently and the well-being of players in terms of mental health too will be given due importance. “You have to strike a balance.

“You cannot neglect the long-term future of players and their mental health. You have to focus on winning now, but you also have to look at the long-term effects.

“So in that case, striking a balance is important. And that’s my job as a coach,” the former India captain emphasised.

NZ ‘hope’

The extremely busy schedule is the main reason behind New Zealand captain Kane Williamson choosing to skip the T20I series in order to be fit and ready for the two Tests.

The Black Caps, though with some of their key players rested, had to tour Bangladesh for the limited-overs series and travelled to Pakistan as well even though the latter was abandoned at the very last moment.

“Some of the guys were at the IPL, so over the last couple of years, the scheduling has become a lot tougher. Sides have to quarantine and what not, so it’s been a bit of a challenge.

“But as players, you just have to crack on and play what’s in front of you,” senior pacer Tim Southee, who will be leading New Zealand in the first T20I, said.

The New Zealanders’ only hope at present is not having to deal with bubble life for much longer.

“A few players have been in a number of bubbles and quarantine for long periods of time, so it does weigh you down after a while. Hopefully, we don’t have to deal with bubbles for too much longer,” Southee said.