Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi launched a sharp criticism of the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Thursday, claiming the BCCI is “overworking” players and placing earnings ahead of their wellbeing. Modi’s comments followed reports that India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir is unhappy with the intensity of the upcoming calendar, particularly because a one-off Test against Afghanistan is scheduled right after IPL 2026.
The IPL campaign is expected to finish on May 31. After that, a number of players would be required to report directly to the national setup, with the Afghanistan Test starting on June 6. India are also set to play three ODIs versus Afghanistan, and then move into back-to-back white-ball tours of Ireland and England—an arrangement that, for many players, leaves little to no time for recovery.
With such a quick turnaround, selectors may have to consider fringe or standby players for the Test match, which also falls outside the World Test Championship cycle.
Reacting to the situation, Modi directed his anger at the BCCI, alleging the board treats cricketers like “mules.” He said, “The BCCI is killing its players with the hectic scheduling. Guys, stop this outrageous scheduling you are putting the boys through. They need time with their families and some time off. You do not need the money.”
Modi went on to argue that the BCCI should place player welfare ahead of financial ambitions, adding that the IPL has already ensured long-term financial security. “I created annuity revenue that the world envies. You will never have to worry about that while sitting in those chairs. Do something good with your decisions, for heaven’s sake. The welfare of the players is paramount. Do not overwork them,” he added.
This criticism is not new. Concerns about workload management have surfaced repeatedly, with India often scheduling international commitments immediately after IPL seasons—an approach that has drawn complaints from cricket commentators and analysts. In some cases, there have been calls for players to take proactive steps, including leaving franchise duties earlier, to better prepare for national assignments.
Earlier, India Test captain Shubman Gill also raised the same concern. Gill underlined that players do not receive enough time to prepare for red-ball cricket and suggested that a minimum of two weeks in camp should be provided before a Test series begins.
