Rotation can ease burnout - Dhoni

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the Indian wicketkeeper, says that rotating players will help counter the burnout issue and prolong the careers of players.

"When a rotation policy is there, there is no issue of burnout. We get enough rest in between [matches] to recharge our batteries," Dhoni told Press Trust of India. "It [rotation] gives every player a chance to excel. If the same eleven are playing continously, the players will get burnt out.

"Rotation allows other guys in the 14-15 member squad a chance to gain experience so that when the right time comes they can also excel. There should not be any insecurity. It [rotation] is for their own good, for a long career you need to preserve yourself."

Dhoni's comments came a day after Virender Sehwag, the Indian vice-captain, told reporters that several players, including Rahul Dravid, the captain, had asked the Indian board reduce the number of matches. "There is too much cricket," Sehwag had said. "Players need a break because they may burn out. They need time for fitness also, time to think about their game and to recharge their batteries. If we want to win the World Cup, we need every player to be fit." However, Dhoni said that he was unaware that the issue had been raised with the board.

Amid the debate, Harbhajan Singh, the Indian offspinner, suggested that players worried about being consumed by too much cricket could opt for rest. "I don't mind playing as much cricket as possible because I love the game," he said. "In fact, I don't think there is too much cricket in BCCI's schedule in the current season. If any player feels it, he can always request the Board to give him rest. Instead of adopting a compulsory rotation policy, players should voluntarily ask for rest if they want so."

Harbhajan added that as far as he was concerned, no amount of cricket was too much.