“The India cap shouldn’t be given just like that” - Former opener’s subtle message to team management after 1-3 loss in BGT 2024-25

Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar called on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to reduce the squad size for the upcoming Test tour of England. Gavaskar's remarks came after India had as many as 19 players in their recent tour of Australia, with other reserves, in the squad.

Despite several players being used at different times during the series, some never found a place in the playing XI. Ultimately, India suffered a 1-3 series defeat to Australia, surrendering the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

While Gavaskar understood the need for a larger squad size in Australia, he wanted the number of players traveling to be reduced for the England series in June.

In his column for Sportstar, he wrote:

"Carrying more than 16 players will indicate the selectors are unsure, and that’s never a good sign. Just because the BCCI can afford to send a large party doesn’t mean the India cap should be given just like that. The usual problem overseas is a lack of practice bowlers, so by all means take a few bowlers over, and they can be given the training and clothing, but not the India cap."

The loss was India's first to Australia in a bilateral Test series in a decade, after the side emerged victorious in the previous four series.

"There will be some gaps between the Test matches, and these need to be utilised for practice games" - Sunil Gavaskar

India Men's Test Squad Training Session during the Australian series - Source: Getty

Sunil Gavaskar called on the Indian side to have as many practice games as possible during the England tour in the middle of this year.

India opted for more intra-squad games and optional practice sessions over tour matches in the recently concluded Australian series. They played the lone practice match during the series against the Prime Minister's XI between the first and second Tests.

"There will be some gaps between the Test matches, and these need to be utilised for practice games. Travel in England is by road almost every time, and the India team will drive down to the next Test venue on the last evening of the previous Test match. Since there won’t be a travel day involved, giving the next day off after the Test is understandable, but the next couple should be used for practice," said Gavaskar.

He added:

"This recent tradition of optional practice should be done away with, and only the coach and captain should decide who gets days off from practice, and this should not be left to the individual player to decide. Indian cricket has depth, or so we are told, and hopefully, that will be seen in England, where a new India can show they are ready to take on the world."

India have lost six out of their last eight Tests to be eliminated from the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The five-Test series in England will be played between June 20 to August 4.