3 reasons why Indian Cricket Board asking Indian bowlers to increase workload during ITL is right

Indian bowlers have been instructed to increase their workload during the current Indian T20 League (ITL) 2023, according to the Indian Cricket Board. As a result, Indian bowlers will probably be seen practising more in the nets during the second half of the competition, possibly even holding the red ball. We examine three reasons why the Indian Cricket Board's request that Indian bowlers double their workload during the ITL 2023 is the proper course of action in light of this latest development.

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1. Not much time for the Test Championship final

India will play Test Championship Final (Source: Twitter)

The ITL final will be contested on May 28, while the league stage concludes on May 21. So, Indian bowlers won't have much time to practise for the Test Championship final, which will be contested in England. In the ITL, players bowl with a white ball, which wouldn't do anything to aid in their Test Championship final preparation.

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Also, with the ITL 2023 switching back to the home-and-away format, optional practice sessions, and regular travel, bowlers won't necessarily be working out in the nets daily. As a result, it becomes essentially required that they practise bowling with the red ball.

Before the Test Championship final, India would have preferred to have prepared well for a Test match. Yet that doesn't seem feasible, given the packed calendar. Hence, the Indian Cricket Board was forced to devise a strategy to maintain the Indian bowlers' rhythm before the coveted final.

2. It's important for bowlers to have enough workload

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Bharat Arun, India (Source: Twitter)

Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun, who was a member of the Virat Kohli-led team that advanced to the Test Championship 2021 final, made the following comment, per a Cricbuzz report: "It is important that the bowlers have enough workload under their belt before the WTC final, 200 or 175... they must go to the WTC well prepared."

It is a noteworthy comment coming from a former India coach who has worked closely with most of the current players. India has previously suffered as a result of being underprepared for significant challenges. The squad was exposed even during the 2021 final since they could not adapt to the available conditions.

Of course, practising with a red ball while bowling in the nets is hardly the best way to prepare for a significant event like the upcoming final. But, given their options, this may be the bare little they can do to prepare for the current conflict.

3. Bowlers have had enough rest

Rohit Sharma (Source: Twitter)

Given the number of prominent players' injuries over the past year, workload management has been a popular topic in Indian cricket. Rohit Sharma, the captain of Mumbai and India, offered some advice on workload management before the ITL.

He said, "Franchises own them now. We've given them some indications or some kind of borderline kind of things to teams. But at the end of the day, it's up to the franchises, and most importantly, it's the players. They have to take care of their own body. They are all adults. So, they have to look after their body."

It's unlikely that ITL teams will rest players in anticipation of the Test Championship final. It shouldn't be a big problem, though, as most players—including fast bowlers—have recently received plenty of pauses in the name of rest. The time has come to take action.