New Delhi, Aug 31 (IANS) Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram said that it is high time for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to rotate players and reduce injuries.
Akram backed Dhoni’s view that too much of cricket is being played round the year and that is increasing the chances of players getting injured.
‘It’s high time the BCCI did something about rotating players to avert the injury crisis the team is facing right now. Dhoni is one hundred per cent right. Indian players are playing cricket round the year and they need adequate rest to recharge their batteries. But that is not happening. I think the time has come for the BCCI to give a serious thought to it,’ Akram was quoted as saying by Mobile ESPN.
The legendary fast bowler said Indians are going to miss Gautam Gambhir.
‘India are certainly going to miss Gambhir in the ODIs. He has performed really well in the last two years. His injury (blurred eyesight after a head injury) makes matters worse for India who are already playing without Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan,’ Akram said.
Gambhir was ruled out for the remainder of the England tour after failing to recover from a concussion he received during The Oval Test last week while attempting a catch.
‘Gautam has been a bit unfortunate on this tour. First, he injured his elbow in the first Test at Lord’s and before he could completely recover, this injury came his way. You can’t do much about injuries,’ he said.
Akram also rubbished suggestions made by England all-rounder Tim Bresnan that they are on their way to another whitewash of India in the 5-ODI series, starting from September 3.
‘That, for me, is going overboard. It’s true India did not play to their potential in the Test series and that England were sublime in all departments. But this is another ball game. For me, India are going as favourites in the series,’ he said.
‘They have got Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are proven match-winners in the limited-overs format. And I have no doubt that they will come off good here as well,’ he added.
