IPL 2019: Rahul Dravid says most players know how to handle fitness and workload, no need for blanket policy

Mumbai: Former captain and India A team coach Rahul Dravid Wednesday said there cannot be a one-size-fits-all policy on workload management and players are smart enough to know where to draw the line. Wading into the ongoing debate on how the players should manage their workload in the Indian Premier League (IPL), starting 23 March, followed by the ODI World Cup in England in May, Dravid said in most cases cricketers know how to handle themselves. [caption id=“attachment_3716143” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of Rahul Dravid. AFP[/caption] “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. I was reading Patrick Cummins (Australia pacer) saying that he feels better bowling when he is constantly playing rather than resting and coming back,” Dravid said. “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,” he added. He was speaking at the launch of ESPNCricinfo’s new metrics, Superstats, along with former India teammate Sanjay Manjrekar in Mumbai. Manjrekar was even more forthright in his views on the matter and said the Cricket Board should not put pressure on IPL franchises to rest players in view of the World Cup, starting 30 May. “My views won’t be appreciated. This is free enterprise. IPL is capitalism at its best. I don’t think there should be any outside interference. It should be up to the franchises. “Don’t think there should be pressure (on IPL franchises) from the Cricket Board (BCCI) (to rest some players),” the former Test batsman-turned-commentator remarked. Reflecting on India’s World Cup chances, Dravid said the 2-3 home ODI series loss to Australia recently could end up helping the cause of Virat Kohli and his men when they play in the World Cup. “I think there was a bit of notion that we are going walk there and win the World Cup easily. So it’s a good thing that has happened. What it has (the outcome against Australia) has reminded us is that we have to play the World Cup very, very well,” said Dravid. “India has performed well in the last couple of years. There was a little bit of talk that we are almost going to walk in there and win the World Cup very easily because we are the No 1 team and we have been dominating one-day cricket for the last couple of years. “But I don’t find anything strange, from my perspective, watching the series. I still feel that we are going to be one of the favourites. But it’s going to be tough. It’s going to be competitive,” the batting stalwart explained. **_For all the latest news, opinions and analysis from IPL 2019, click here_**