Another new kid on the block, Ishant Sharma, too, isn’t a nervous traveller. Nor does he complain about too much cricket. “All the teams in the tournament have hired good support staff. In Kolkata, we have fitness and strength trainers to take care of us,” says the bowler from Delhi, who has bowled non-stop for Kolkata Knight Riders. Sharma says he is in great shape for the international games ahead. “Cricket toh ab itna zyaada ho gaya hai, what to do? (there is so much cricket these days, what can one do?)” he says.

But there is another school of thought that says this non-complaining attitude of the players is because of the pro-rata payments of the IPL. For example, if Ishant — who was bought by Kolkata for a whopping US $ 900,000 (approx Rs 3.6 crore) — would have played half his quota of matches, he would have been paid just half the amount due to him.

And there are some who add that once international games start, the injury complaints will start again. The reason: BCCI’s contracted players get their retainer-money in full regardless of them missing games due to injury or loss of form. There are also dangers that players who have taken the field for IPL games despite niggles or minor injuries might suffer breakdown during international series.

In contrast to the views expressed by the youngsters, Team India coach Gary Kirsten is a worried man. Besides being constantly in touch with the India internationals, he is also concerned about the condition in which he will get them after the IPL stint.

... contd.