Former IPL Head Rajeev Shukla Backs Virat Kohli, Criticises CoA For Poor Schedule

In the press conference ahead of the 1st T20I match against New Zealand in Auckland, Indian skipper Virat Kohli had pointed out the tight scheduling of the matches. He opined that it is difficult for players to adjust when there is a large difference in the time zone of the two countries.

Team India was in New Zealand just a week after playing three-match ODI series against the Australian at home. The Men in Blue could not get enough time to rest before the start of the New Zealand tour. Thus, Kohli had mentioned this subject in the press conference while Rajeev Shukla, the former IPL head, has backed Kohli on this issue.

“It’s getting closer and closer to landing at the stadium straight. That’s how compressed the gap has become. This kind of traveling to a place that is seven and a half hours ahead of IST is difficult to adjust immediately,” Virat Kohli said.

Rajeev Shukla supports Virat Kohli:

Shukla had slammed BCCI as well as the Committee of Administrators (CoA) who has the task of scheduling the series.

“I agree with @imVkohli that calendar is too hectic There should not be back to back matches and series as well Players must get some rest and also enough time to get acclimatized. COA should have kept this in mind before finalizing the schedule @BCCI,” Shukla wrote on his Twitter account.

Meanwhile, India has registered an emphatic win over New Zealand in the first T20I match by six wickets in Auckland.

KL Rahul, as well as optimistic Shreyas Iyer, hit the fifty each which helped India chase down the mammoth target of 204 runs.

Now, the Men in Blue have the lead of 1-0 in the five-match T20I series. The second game will commence at the same venue on January 26.