Sunil Gavaskar Slams BCCI Scheduling After SA defeat - 'Season Is More Important
The home Test series loss to South Africa struck a painful note for Indian cricket. And one voice cutting through the noise was that of former India great Sunil Gavaskar . He did not point fingers at individual failures alone; instead, he criticised the BCCI for what he called poor and inconsistent scheduling.
Gavaskar’s central argument: when it comes to Test cricket, “season is more important” than revenue-driven scheduling involving frequent white-ball or overseas tours. According to him, the Indian team has been forced into a hectic cycle of playing limited-overs cricket abroad even as home Tests approach. This imbalanced calendar leaves limited time for preparation, acclimatisation to home conditions, and maintaining a consistent red-ball mindset.
He pointed out that opposing teams often arrive in India after long away tours or after playing in similar conditions - meaning their “A” teams or prior series provide them with momentum and rhythm. Meanwhile, India returns from foreign white-ball commitments and immediately switches to red-ball mode, often without adequate rest or preparation. This, he argues, is unfair and damaging to performance.
In Gavaskar’s view, scheduling should prioritise the “season” around home Tests meaning no overseas tours during that window, better spacing between series, and dedicated red-ball blocks. This structure would give players time to adapt to pitches, rebuild partnerships, and mentally prepare for the format.
Why does this matter? Because Test cricket especially home Tests demands patience, rhythm, and consistency. Too many format switches can lead to technical lapses, lack of focus, and fatigue. Inconsistent scheduling may not give players enough time to settle, plan, or recover. Gavaskar believes this structural flaw contributed significantly to India’s recent defeat.
Additionally, a stable calendar gives selectors and coaches clarity to build a proper Test-oriented squad instead of hurriedly selecting players for overlapping white-ball tournaments. It enables domestic and “A” team tours to be aligned better, giving fringe players match practice and easing transitions. This methodical approach could strengthen India’s Test bench strength over time.
If executed well, smarter scheduling could help Indian cricket restore consistency in red-ball results. It would reduce mental and physical fatigue, give players a focused window to prepare, sharpen team strategies, and nurture Test specialists. Gavaskar’s criticism is a timely warning, a reminder that in the pursuit of commercial gains, the core principles of preparation must not be sacrificed.
For India to shine again in Tests at home and abroad, the message is clear: respect the Test season and build the cricketing calendar around it.
Gavaskar’s central argument: when it comes to Test cricket, “season is more important” than revenue-driven scheduling involving frequent white-ball or overseas tours. According to him, the Indian team has been forced into a hectic cycle of playing limited-overs cricket abroad even as home Tests approach. This imbalanced calendar leaves limited time for preparation, acclimatisation to home conditions, and maintaining a consistent red-ball mindset.
He pointed out that opposing teams often arrive in India after long away tours or after playing in similar conditions - meaning their “A” teams or prior series provide them with momentum and rhythm. Meanwhile, India returns from foreign white-ball commitments and immediately switches to red-ball mode, often without adequate rest or preparation. This, he argues, is unfair and damaging to performance.
In Gavaskar’s view, scheduling should prioritise the “season” around home Tests meaning no overseas tours during that window, better spacing between series, and dedicated red-ball blocks. This structure would give players time to adapt to pitches, rebuild partnerships, and mentally prepare for the format.
Why does this matter? Because Test cricket especially home Tests demands patience, rhythm, and consistency. Too many format switches can lead to technical lapses, lack of focus, and fatigue. Inconsistent scheduling may not give players enough time to settle, plan, or recover. Gavaskar believes this structural flaw contributed significantly to India’s recent defeat.
Additionally, a stable calendar gives selectors and coaches clarity to build a proper Test-oriented squad instead of hurriedly selecting players for overlapping white-ball tournaments. It enables domestic and “A” team tours to be aligned better, giving fringe players match practice and easing transitions. This methodical approach could strengthen India’s Test bench strength over time.
If executed well, smarter scheduling could help Indian cricket restore consistency in red-ball results. It would reduce mental and physical fatigue, give players a focused window to prepare, sharpen team strategies, and nurture Test specialists. Gavaskar’s criticism is a timely warning, a reminder that in the pursuit of commercial gains, the core principles of preparation must not be sacrificed.
For India to shine again in Tests at home and abroad, the message is clear: respect the Test season and build the cricketing calendar around it.
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