Next season of the Indian Premier League is just around the corner and apart from the discussions about the participating teams, there’s a lot of talk going on about the IPL as well as Indian Players and how they will maintain their fitness for the ICC Cricket World Cup. 

The latest cricketing personality to voice his opinion is the ex-Indian cricketer and bowling coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore, Ashish Nehra.

While talking to IANS, he said, "IPL is a pressure tournament, it is as good as international cricket, that's why everybody wants to play. So, you are going to the World Cup through that pressure. If somebody tells Virat Kohli not to play the IPL, and come fresh for the World Cup, I don't think that's right. There's a three-week gap between the IPL final & India's first game.”

A lot of importance will be given to players getting good enough rest as well as good game time. Talking about it, Nehra further emphasized the importance of having ample game time before the World Cup.

“If you're not injured, 3 weeks is enough time. If someone tells me, 'You bowl in the IPL final today and then for the next three weeks you don't bowl, and then bowl straight away against South Africa' -- I would not like to do that. Active rest is very important. If I'm a bowler, I keep bowling yorkers or good length balls in the IPL, I do the same thing in the World Cup. If I'm sitting at home, I've not played cricket for a while and think I'm going to deliver in the World Cup, it's wrong.”

The first encounter of the Indian Premier League will take place on 23rd of the may between defending champions Chennai Super Kings & Royal Challengers Bangalore. IPL final will be played on 19th May and India’s first match in the World Cup is on 5th June.

Despite losing 3-2 to Australia in India, India is considered to be one of the favorites to lift the most prestigious trophy in the cricketing world, because of their solid batting and bowling line-up. India are a very good ODI team & have a chance to go all the way. World Cup is a long tournament which tests skills as well as the fitness of the individuals.

Hence, it will be very crucial for Indian players to strike a perfect combination between ample rest as well as necessary game time heading into the mega event in England. 

(IANS inputs)