Former India batter Gautam Gambhir said top India players should prioritize playing ODIs in the World Cup year and it’s absolutely fine if a few of them miss the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in 2023. Gambhir said Indian cricket is the main stakeholder and IPL is just a byproduct of Indian cricket.
Gambhir, who is the mentor of IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants, said the franchises should be ready to suffer if it comes to making sure India heads to the World Cup with their big names in full fitness and peak form.
“Keeping in mind the Men’s FTP and preparations for ICC CWC 2023, the NCA will work in tandem with the IPL Franchisee to monitor the targeted Indian players participating in the IPL 2023,” the BCCI had said.
“Look, if the franchises have to suffer, they have to suffer. Indian cricket is the main stakeholder, not the IPL. IPL is just the byproduct, so if India goes on to win the World Cup, that’s the bigger vision,” Gambhir said.
“If an important player misses the IPL, so be it. IPL happens every year, World Cup happens only once in 4 years. For me, winning the World cup is far more important than winning the IPL,” he added.
