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Gautam Gambhir (Image Source: Twitter)
Team India began their three-match T20I series at home against Sri Lanka on 3 January 2023. However, Hardik Pandya led the team to a thrilling victory as they won the series opener by just two runs. Now, they will be seen in action again on 5 January for the second game. However, before this series, on 1 January, the Indian Cricket Board arranged a performance review meeting in Mumbai.
One of the key outcomes of that meeting was that VVS Laxman-led National Cricket Academy (NCA) will work with Indian T20 League franchises to monitor players’ fitness, especially those who have a history of injuries. In an official statement, the Board further added: “Keeping in mind the Men’s FTP and preparations for 2023 World Cup, the NCA will work in tandem with the Indian T20 League Franchisee to monitor the targeted Indian players participating in the Indian T20 League 2023.” Now, the former India cricketer, Gautam Gambhir has come up with some bold statements regarding the same matter.
"Look, if the franchises have to suffer, they have to suffer.” - Gautam Gambhir
While speaking to Star Sports, Gautam Gambhir said: "Look, if the franchises have to suffer, they have to suffer. Indian cricket is the main stakeholder, not the Indian T20 League. Indian T20 League is just the byproduct, so if India goes on to win the World Cup, that’s the bigger vision."
"If an important player misses the Indian T20 League, so be it. Indian T20 League happens every year, World Cup happens only once in 4 years. For me, winning the World cup is far more important than winning the Indian T20 League," Gambhir added. He also claimed that India need to make sure that all shortlisted players play together especially in ODIs ahead of the 2023 World Cup.
"This year ODIs for sure. People who are taking all 3 formats, if they have to take a break, then they can take breaks from T20Is, surely not from the ODIs. They have got to play together. They have to decide if they want to take a break from the T20Is or from the Indian T20 League. If they have to take a break, it should be from the T20I format and not the ODIs," Gautam Gambhir concluded.