Why does no one get injured before IPL, asks Michael Holding

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In a scathing attack against the touring **Indian team, West Indies pace legend **Michael Holding has questioned the commitment of younger players in the side, blaming the Indian Premier League (IPL) for a drastic shift in their priorities.

“I don’t think the current Indian team is bothered about the defeat in the first two Tests. My only concern is – are they giving any extra effort, or playing like ‘supposed’ world champions? Even after the Lord’s debacle, the answer is a clear no! That’s because, they will get more money to play in the IPL,” fumed Holding, now a commentator for Sky Sports.
Holding also wondered why most Indian players underwent surgeries and rehabilitation after the IPL, despite the tour of UK in close proximity. “Why does anyone not get injured before the IPL, you tell me.”

“That’s because they are getting huge amounts of money (in IPL). Why would they bother about international commitments?” he asked. It may be recalled that the likes of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir aggravated their injuries during the IPL owing to impending surgeries that they delayed. Even S Sreesanth, Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh played the entire IPL but did not travel to West Indies due to various injuries and to undergo rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Holding reckoned the younger players in the Indian side were prioritising IPL ahead of international cricket.

“Except for Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman, nobody else in this team seems to be worried about the reputation of the country or of Test cricket. I am sure they are all aware about Test cricket, but are not bothered,” said Holding.

Holding further attacked the quality of Indian batsmanship. “If IPL was to be organised in a country like South Africa or Australia, where the ball seams and bounces, the Indians would again crumble. However, if the ball is pitched beneath knee-level, like it is on Indian pitches, they will murder the bowling,” said the 57-year-old. Holding welcomed the inclusion of Virat Kohli in the Test squad. “I told you all along that Virat should have been part of the squad. If three out of the six batsmen (Abhinav Mukund, Yuvraj and Suresh Raina) have problems against short-pitched bowling, you cannot manage?” he said.

“I do not have a problem if these Indian youngsters are multi-millionaires. But they are not good enough for Test level. And that’s what counts,” concluded Holding.

http://www.mid-day.com/sports/2011/aug/050811-Michael-Holding-Indian-Players-IPL-Injuries.htm****

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Re: Why does no one get injured before IPL, asks Michael Holding

He has a point ..... i watched the 2 tests and Dravid seems to be one of the few who put a price tag on his wicket

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Re: Why does no one get injured before IPL, asks Michael Holding

Well said by Holding. But I don't blame the players for trying their best to play for IPL healthy. It's easy to say put country first before $$$.

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Re: Why does no one get injured before IPL, asks Michael Holding

Holding definitely has some good points but at the same time he is also becoming one of those old bitter uncles always biching about stuff. Where was the blame IPL game when India won the WC?

Claiming that the Indian players DONT CARE about losing tests because they get money in the IPL is absolutely foolish.

It's not just the Indian players.. its players from all over the world that are giving a lot of importance to IPL. Cash is King. But at the same time many of them do highly regard playing for their country and getting a chance to play tests.

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Re: Why does no one get injured before IPL, asks Michael Holding

Holding definitely has some good points but at the same time he is also becoming one of those old bitter uncles always biching about stuff. Where was the blame IPL game when India won the WC?

Read the article again. You will find the answer. WC in India~50overs~young players~technique~short-pitched. If you can't see a clear indication of the future of middle order batting in Indian side, then wait for another 3 to 5 years when the Greats are retired. It could be another WI/Pak batting side.

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Re: Why does no one get injured before IPL, asks Michael Holding

I think we'll be fine. There are plenty of talented first class batsmen in India who have not made it big in the IPL and have have not been given the chance to play international tests. Don't go by just Raina (ODI/T20 specialist).

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Re: Why does no one get injured before IPL, asks Michael Holding

Pujara and Kohli might be the future of Indian middle order. Heard good stuff about Badrinath and Rohit Sharma - never watched them play. Mukund has had to play in tough conditions - did well in 1st Test - matter of fact, he looked downright comfortable in the 1st inning - was playing like the senior partner vs. Gambhir. Some of his shots to leg off his hips were very fluid. Gavaskar commented - he is having fun out there.
So while his stats are poor, I wouldl not club him with Yuvraj and Raina in terms of inability against the short ball.

He also hung aroud in 2nd inning of 2nd test (did not watch). Murali Vijay bats without fear. We just need some Test specialists, and not force the one dayers to double up in Test cricket.

I respect Holding a lot. But reality is money is important. Not sure if players had control over lack of planning for each tour abroad - typically no practice before 1st Test.

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Re: Why does no one get injured before IPL, asks Michael Holding

there are a few simple realities that people like holding and cricket fans in general need to reconcile:

1) test cricket is on its way out.
2) club play will eventually become the central focus of the sport. just as it is with soccer, basketball, ice hockey, baseball, etc.

the game in its current shape and form is in a state of terminal decline. the current set-up will eventually evolve into a long-term viable model based on club play in the subcontinent. whether that platform is the IPL itself or an unrelated club system or some kind of expanded IPL derivative remains to be seen.

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Re: Why does no one get injured before IPL, asks Michael Holding

Strong words by Holding

The issue for me is not so much IPL money as the commitment of some of these youngsters to test cricket. Money, fame and media hype at such a young age can get to your head. Perhaps the greatest IPL cash money should be reserved only for those players who have proven themselves at international level (say a minimum of 50 tests) with youngsters earning not more than decent money

Whether the indian performance in England has suffered because of IPL is always debatable. Let's just accept that India have been beaten by a better team in English conditions. Conditions in England are vastly different from those in the sub-continent. Hence the need to prepare bouncy and fast pitches in India etc. Too much reliance on spin should go.

True Holding himself went to play in the Kerry Packer series in Australia but at no point were his credentials as a test player questioned. He admits himself that he came back from the Packer series a better cricketer, and his record for the West Indies proves it.

Test cricket and representing your country should be the priority. The bottom line is that in order to be considered a top class cricketer, you have to perform at test level. These players are being rewarded very handsomely already despite having nothing to show for it in the highest form of the game and until they do prove themselves away from home, these comments will always surface.

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Re: Why does no one get injured before IPL, asks Michael Holding

another point..

Players don't earn according to their level of skill and it's not restricted to IPL only. Dhoni is not better than Dravid but he still earns more. Earning proportional to skill and talent of player hasn't been the concept for many years now.

And look at Keiron Pollard, the most expensive player in IPL. He is not even a regular member of the Windies side!

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Re: Why does no one get injured before IPL, asks Michael Holding

Did not realize Holding was part of the Packer series. I thought he may have been too young at that time. Cant blame any player for joining the Packer series. All the top class players joined it (I think 1977-78). Too bad that some players such as Lillee, Thompson, Gavaskar, Bedi et al missed a couple of their peak years with that circus.

IMO, India had overachieved to get to this level in Test cricket. As Sharabee pointed out earlier, comarisons with Australia or the Windies of 70s annd esrly 80s not fair. They were dominant. India did what it took to win. That itself is an admirable characterstic.

Not having openers to back up Sehwag,sending Zaheer to the tour when unfit, waiting till last miniyte to find replacement - all these should be laid squarely on the selectors.

Players are doing their best. They are not good enough (under English conditions as GA points out).

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Re: Why does no one get injured before IPL, asks Michael Holding

I seriously hope not. I love test cricket far too much. T20 just gives me a headache, its too fast for my liking.