Pakistan's Salman Butt has blamed playing too much cricket in recent times for India’s horrific batting display on Day 1 of the ongoing third Test against England at Headingley, Leeds.
After winning the toss, Indian captain Virat Kohli decided to bat first in the third Test at Headingley, but ended up scoring just 78 runs in 40.4 overs against England.
It was Team India’s second-lowest Test total in 12 months after they were bowled out for 36 against Australia in Adelaide last year in December.
Reacting to India’s terrible batting in Leeds, former Pakistan captain said a jam-packed cricketing schedule seems to be affecting the India cricket team mentally and suggested Kohli to implement the rotation policy without any further delay.
Butt said on his YouTube channel, “There is no doubt that Team India are a top team. They have proved themselves all over the world. But if I have to analyze their below-par performances like 36 all out in Adelaide and 78 here at Headingley, I would put it down to too much cricket.”
He further explained, “Team India play a lot of cricket and their schedule is completely crammed. When you play too much cricket, no matter how good or professional you are, as a human, sometimes the mind just doesn’t respond. When your focus level falls, your output is bound to decrease. I feel Team India must start rotating their players.
Recently, someone had commented that India might burnout by the time the T20 World Cup comes around considering the amount of cricket they play. They featured in the World Test Championship final, now they are playing five Tests against England. After that, within a week, they will be in the UAE for the IPL and then they will take part in the T20 World Cup.”
Butt concluded, “You can imagine the amount of matches Team India cricketers are playing. Remember, recently, they had to send a second team to Sri Lanka because of excess engagement. There are no doubts over the quality and skills of Team India’s players. But I feel too much of cricket has got to them. They need to rotate two three players and have the arsenal. Ravichandran Ashwin and Shardul Thakur can come in. They can play another batsman as well.”
