Sunil Gavaskar: The kids look great playing against kids

The Indian team face a devastating T20I series defeat at the hands of West Indies, losing the fifth and final game by 8 wickets in Florida. Following the series loss, Ex-India captain Sunil Gavaskar talked in detail about the challenging transition many players face as they ascend from dominating at the franchise level to donning the national colors.

Sunil Gavaskar wrote for Sportstar –

“A player could do well at the franchise level, but when it comes to playing for the country, it’s a different ball game of pressures and expectations. It is one step up, which can be too steep for even some of the best performers at the franchise level.

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“How often have we seen this when the Under-19 performers just aren’t able to take that one step up from a boys’ tournament to a men’s competition?”

“Yes, the kids look great playing against kids, but when they come up against the men, they suddenly find that what looks like a piece of cake at the under-19 level is more like mud at the senior level.

Gavaskar wrote –

“That’s why so many who looked good at the boys’ level have been found wanting at the senior level. It’s not just the temperament; even the skill set is way below the standard required at the franchise level.

“Then, having been bought for crores, some of these youngsters lose the fire in the belly and are happy to cruise along in later years and get their contracts extended, even if it is for a lesser amount.”