BCCI admits excessive cricket causing players' burn-out

KANPUR: The Indian Cricket Board on Thursday admitted that excessive cricket was causing players' burn-out but said the BCCI was only following the International Cricket Council's calender.
    
BCCI Vice-President Rahiv Shukla said although burn-out was an issue with cricketers of all countries, Board did not want the Indian players to be exhausted before important matches and was taking steps for the same.
    
"That is why we have increased our pool of players to 35 from 20 and introduced an additional category 'D' after A, B and C. With the new category, there will be an option for players if they are injured or needed to be rested," Shukla said.
   
"We are trying to have options for all kind of players in the new pool," he said after inspecting the Green Park stadium which will host the India v Pakistan match on November 11.
    
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni had recently told Australian reporters that his team might be 'tired and exhausted' due to excessive cricket before its tour Down Under later this year.
    
Shukla said he was satisfied with the preparations and the support extended by the state government to the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association.
    
"If the state government continues its support to the UPCA we will try to bring a match during the series against South Africa and a Twenty20 tie," he said.
    
Shukla also said the two teams will reach the city on the evening of October 10 and leave immediately after the match on the next day