Overdose Of Cricket Is Taking Toll On Players' Health And Has Adverse Effect

Overdose of cricket has resulted in constant injuries to Hardik [X]Overdose of cricket has resulted in constant injuries to Hardik [X]

Don't get me wrong, I love Cricket, in-fact, my love for the game has brought me in media industry, but the love has suddenly started to fade.

Earlier, there was this charm of following the game thoroughly, talking about your favourite cricketer with schoolmates, memorising their classic knocks, and most importantly, there were gaps between two cricket matches.

Has Cricket lost its charm? Or Am I over-exaggerating?

Nowadays, there are so many matches going around at the same time, that it has become difficult to keep a tab on everything that is happening around the cricketing world. Personally, it feels like burnout, especially following so many games at the same time. The game nowadays, hardly invokes a sense of emotion, and that has been the 'Red Flag' for me, when it comes to Cricket.

This is something, which not only does a common man, who watches cricket avidly feels, but the players also feel the heat. The greed of money has taken over the beautiful sport, which we once loved. You look at the 12-months in a year, and every month, there is a new franchise league taking place.

When Covid-19 broke out in 2020, the West Indian legend, Michael Holding stated that the forced break in cricket due to Covid could be a blessing in disguise for the fans as world cricket needed to introspect, the direction in which the game is heading towards, keeping in mind the commercialization.

Cricketers cannot perform at highest level, 365 days

With Cricket fixtures taking place 365 days, it takes a mental toll on a players' mind. To perform at the highest level, you need to have extensive break in between matches, but that simply doesn't happen, considering the fixture congestion.

The high number of injuries in cricket also takes place because the ICC has to squeeze in 10 matches inside 4 days, without considering about the mental and physical wellbeing of players.

Kohli took a break from Cricket, post a slump in form in 2022 [x]Kohli took a break from Cricket, post a slump in form in 2022 [x]

Not many cricketers know how to take care of their body, with the exception being Virat Kohli. The former India Test captain, is known for taking breaks, taking care of his mental health.

 While, he does get criticised for it, we must understand, that Cricket will only live with him for the next few years, post that, he'll be with his family, and as a cricketer, one must protect their mental wellbeing at all-cost.

"The players need to be spoken to and consulted with all round..I think it's very important to consider how much cricket you are playing. It is not just the physical side of the thing but the mental side as well,” Kohli once said.

Even in the past, so many cricketers have openly criticised the schedule congestion, and some have even retired because of it - a prime example is England's Marcus Trescothick, who retired from the game at the peak of his powers.

ICC, BCCI and everyone has to decide, how much Cricket is good Cricket.