Did ‘IPL Scheduling’ Hamper India’s T20 WC Preparation? Harbhajan Singh Drops Bombshell

Former Indian cricket team spinner Harbhajan Singh expressed his displeasure at the Rohit Sharma-led side’s preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. With the IPL 2024 final taking place on May 26, the Indian cricket team players will not have much time to practice with each other as the T20 World Cup will begin from June 2. India will face Ireland in their tournament opener on June 5 and that will allow them to play just two matches before the competition. Harbhajan blamed the ‘IPL scheduling’ for not allowing the Indian cricket team players for not getting enough time to hold proper training camps.

The England Cricket Board (ECB) decided to call back all the national team players taking part in the IPL for a training camp ahead of the T20 World Cup. As a result, major stars like Jos Buttler, Sam Curran and Moeen Ali left the tournament midway despite some of their sides still being in the race for the playoffs.

Harbhajan wanted BCCI to follow a similar model as ECB and said that in the future, the governing body should make sure that cricketers play together for 10-15 days before any major competition.

“I think with this IPL scheduling, it is so difficult to have everyone together to play a few matches. But yes, we have two games in America before the tournament starts,” he said on Star Sports.

“Yes, I believe it would have been better for them to have 4-5 games, you know collectively playing against some top team like England or Australia in America, just to get used to those conditions. But that doesn’t seem to be happening. But now, whatever small window we have, those two games, we have to make the best use of it. Going forward, it is a great suggestion. When you are playing a tournament like the World Cup or WTC, the team should play together for 10-15 days, it will be better,” he further added.