"It gives every player a chance to excel" - When MS Dhoni batted for a rotation policy in Indian cricket
The debate over rotation policy has been going on among cricket experts and players for the better part of the last two decades. While the sport had an off-season in the 1990s, the break for players went out of the window in the new millennium. The advent of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and many other T20 competitions around the globe has almost turned cricket into a 24x7 activity.
Irrespective of the amount of money on offer, playing around the clock has taken a toll on players. Several cricketers have retired from at least one format to reduce their workload. A few have opted out of central contracts, a decision influenced by both financial and burnout factors.
Back in 2006, former India captain MS Dhoni had candidly admitted that Indian cricket needed a rotation policy to prevent the players from issues like burnout. Speaking to news agency PTI, he had said (as quoted by ESPNcricinfo):
"When a rotation policy is there, there is no issue of burnout. We get enough rest in between [matches] to recharge our batteries. It [rotation] gives every player a chance to excel. If the same eleven are playing continuously, the players will get burnt out.
"Rotation allows other guys in the 14-15 member squad a chance to gain experience so that when the right time comes they can also excel. There should not be any insecurity. It [rotation] is for their own good, for a long career you need to preserve yourself," the legendary stumper had added.
Dhoni's comments came after another big name in Indian cricket, Virender Sehwag, had told reporters that several players, including Rahul Dravid, had urged the BCCI to reduce the number of matches that were being played.
Brett Lee not in favor of rotation policy, wants Australia pacers to play all 5 Tests against India
While Dhoni backed the rotation policy way back in 2006, former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee doesn't seem to be a fan of the same. He thinks that the Australians should not rotate their fast bowlers against India and must play them in all five Border-Gavaskar Trophy Tests. Speaking on the Fox Cricket podcast The Follow On, Brett Lee commented:
“Australia are blessed with three amazing (fast) bowlers in Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, and pending fitness, I think they will play all five Tests. I just really hope that (selectors) don’t hedge their bets and say, ‘We have got to try to stop people getting injured’."
India will play five Tests in Australia as part of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy from November 22 to January 7.