Manjrekar: BCCI should not control player workload in IPL

India 'A' and Under-19 coach Rahul Dravid feels that the players are the best judge of the condition of their bodies.

Sanjay Manjrekar feels three or four weeks rest after the IPL is enough before India’s first World Cup match. [File photo]

The popular opinion before the start of the IPL season 12 is that the eight franchises need to manage the workload of the World Cup-bound India cricketers. But former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar feels that the IPL should be untouched and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should not control things.

India 'A' and Under-19 coach and mentor Rahul Dravid said that the players know how to deal with their body and one has to trust them.

READ | Rahul Dravid: India has to play very well at the World Cup

During a panel discussion at ESPNCricinfo ’s launch of Superstats in partnership with IIT Madras, Manjrekar was quite candid in his observation on the workload of the World Cup-bound Indians.

"My views won’t be appreciated. IPL is a free enterprise. I think it’s capitalism at its best. I don’t think there should be any outside control from the cricket board (BCCI). It’s up to the franchises, if they feel patriotic and rest a Bumah and all, that’s fine.

"But  I don’t think there should be any pressure from the BCCI to rest certain players. Somebody made a valid point recently; Virat (Kohli) has said players know how much rest they need. How can one quantify it? If Bumrah is feeling the pressure, fine so be it. I would like to keep IPL untouched.

"I think three or four weeks rest after the IPL is enough before India’s first match. I don’t like any interference. IPL is a true reflection of today’s society and capitalism. So just leave it the way it is. There are other formats to control (the workload).’’

Dravid had a different take on the subject saying that the players are the best judge of the condition of their bodies.

"Most players are smart about these things, they know how to handle their body. I don’t think the players would put their body on the line," he said.

I was reading Patrick Cummins saying that he feels better bowling when he is constantly playing, rather than having rested and coming back. So to each player, it’s different.  There cannot be a blanket case that all should be rested. We have to just trust the players. They know what needs to be done.’’