Gavaskar also urged BCCI to not cheapen India Cap, says give youngster chances in U19 and A teams.
His statement was made following India's 3-0 victory against Afghanistan in the three-match ODI series. Additionally, the one-time Test between India and Afghanistan took place just six days after the May 31 conclusion of the IPL 2026 final between RCB and GT.
Gavaskar acknowledged that the BCCI must behave as a big brother to countries like Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Sri Lanka, but he asked the board to take player welfare and cricket players' health and fitness into account as well.
The ODIs in Lucknow and Chennai were played in front of half-full venues, and the India vs. Afghanistan series failed to draw a crowd. The former captain of India also stated that the greatest players should only play for the national team and that player rotation and rest diminish the value of the India cap.
“Yes, the BCCI is like the elder brother to countries like Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Sri Lanka, and has always tried to help them grow on the field and boost their finances by touring these countries. However, our cricketers’ health and fitness are also crucial, and there should be a clear month’s rest for our players in the year. India is blessed with talent, and so you can rotate the players, but that is cheapening the India cap. The cap mustn’t be given because a player replaces the undroppable player who is rested. It has to be earned,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day.
“In the test against Afghanistan, who have been honest triers but nothing more, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul scored centuries, and Manav Suthar made an impressive debut. Jasprit Bumrah was rested, but wouldn’t he have liked to have added a fifer or a ten-fer to his career record against this team? When India is playing, then the best team must play, unless there are injuries, of course. But this rest because of workload, which must be avoided as much as possible. Have a look at the calendar, and you will see that India is playing every month somewhere or other,” he added.
The "A" team and the U-19 squad are the ideal ways to offer young players an opportunity, Gavaskar continued. Additionally, he stated that the BCCI must consider the fans, who are the sport's largest stakeholders.
“Yes, by all means have ‘A’ team and U-19 matches so that young players get the opportunity and the experience, but please spare our elite players and ensure they, as a team and not just as individuals, get at least a month’s break in the year.
This year’s schedule is already done, and nothing can be changed, but since the thinking is to have the IPL start and finish early next year, is there then a way to add a month’s rest to not just the players but the fans of Indian cricket?" he added.
India will next play 2 T20Is against Ireland in Belfast and will then take on England in five T20Is starting July 1, which will be followed by three ODIs.
(Mid-day inputs)