The Board of Control for Cricket in India has been very stern about how its players handle their workload over the years. However, this policy has forced India seamer, Umesh Yadav to skip a season playing county cricket. Speaking to the media on the eve of the Ranji Trophy game between Delhi and Vidarbha, Umesh blasted out at the BCCI, stating that he did get an opportunity to play for the county side Gloucestershire but had to skip it keeping the workload policies of the Board in mind.
“I got a county offer last season (from Gloucestershire). They wanted me to play seven games, but the BCCI workload management policy doesn’t allow me to play more than two or three games. So, the deal didn’t work out. Also, I had some niggles to take care of after IPL,” he revealed.
Umesh, thus feels, that it should be left to every player and that the cricketers know how to strike a balance.
“Workload management is a balance that you strike when you are constantly playing matches. In my case, it’s been the opposite. I have played lesser and lesser in the past two years (2018 and 2019). So there hasn’t even been an optimum workload for me.
“I am 31 and the next four to five years are very important. If you look at my record, I played four Tests last year (2019) and before that another four in 2018. In the white ball, I played only one game last year.
“At this age, the more I bowl, the better I will get. That’s why I am playing five first-class (one vs Saurashtra after this game) to have some more workload,” he explained.
He also added that as he is not a part of the white-ball set-up, playing more cricket will keep him fresh and away from rustiness.
“So, in a World T20 year, after the New Zealand tour, I have only IPL left and then no cricket. If I am not selected for white-ball cricket, I have precious little to do then,” he pointed.
