CHENNAI, July 23: A packed international schedule and constant shifting between three formats has made it difficult for top players to maintain a consistent level, India opener Gautam Gambhir said.
“It’s difficult to consistently perform for anyone because we play so much of cricket, that too in changing format(s),” Gambhir is quoted as saying.
After a prolific spell with the bat in the last 12 months, the 27-year-old left-hander took over as the world's top-ranked Test batsman last week from Pakistan's Mohammad Yousuf.
However, Gambhir’s form dipped at the Twenty20 World Cup in England in June and subsequent One-day series in West Indies just two months after scoring 445 runs in India’s first Test series victory on New Zealand soil for more than four decades. “We played Test cricket just before the IPL (Indian Premier League) which meant a change to the Twenty20 format after just a few days’ gap,” he said. The Twenty20 World Cup followed soon after the conclusion of the IPL season.
“It’s very difficult to change your mindset so quickly and be at the peak of your game,” Gambhir added.
The Delhi batsman said too much cricket was also affecting player performances.
“The more you play, the more you are bound to fail. No one can keep the intensity always.”
India’s next assignment is a triangular One-day series in Sri Lanka in September before the Champions Trophy in South Africa.
“At the moment, I am on complete break and not at all thinking about cricket because I want to be in right frame of mind when I resume the game,” he said.
“You have to be very tough mentally to survive in international cricket.” (PTI)
“It’s difficult to consistently perform for anyone because we play so much of cricket, that too in changing format(s),” Gambhir is quoted as saying.
After a prolific spell with the bat in the last 12 months, the 27-year-old left-hander took over as the world's top-ranked Test batsman last week from Pakistan's Mohammad Yousuf.
However, Gambhir’s form dipped at the Twenty20 World Cup in England in June and subsequent One-day series in West Indies just two months after scoring 445 runs in India’s first Test series victory on New Zealand soil for more than four decades. “We played Test cricket just before the IPL (Indian Premier League) which meant a change to the Twenty20 format after just a few days’ gap,” he said. The Twenty20 World Cup followed soon after the conclusion of the IPL season.
“It’s very difficult to change your mindset so quickly and be at the peak of your game,” Gambhir added.
The Delhi batsman said too much cricket was also affecting player performances.
“The more you play, the more you are bound to fail. No one can keep the intensity always.”
India’s next assignment is a triangular One-day series in Sri Lanka in September before the Champions Trophy in South Africa.
“At the moment, I am on complete break and not at all thinking about cricket because I want to be in right frame of mind when I resume the game,” he said.
“You have to be very tough mentally to survive in international cricket.” (PTI)
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