From Melbourne to Sydney to Perth to Adelaide and then back to Melbourne before arriving in Adelaide for the semi-final, it is quite clear that Team India have had a hectic schedule at the 2022 T20 World Cup. Not only have the matches come in one after another, the team has been on the road for lengthy periods due to the travel demands.
Because of India not having two back-to-back games at the same venue, the team has been forced to take multiple long-distance flights. The travel can be hazardous to the recovery of players but in order to ensure their hard-working fast-bowling units are in the best shape possible, the team management decided to make life easier for them while in the air.
According to a report in Indian Express; the likes of Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma gave up their business class seats to Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, and Hardik Pandya. This decision was taken in order to allow them extra leg room to rest properly.
“Before the tournament, we decided that since the pace bowlers clock the maximum mileage on field day in, day out, they need to stretch their legs,” a support staff member told Indian Express while explaining the unique move.
According to norms set by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for all 16 teams; each squad is allocated four business class seats during a flight. Usually, these are given to the captain, coach, team manager and other senior players but the Indian team management decided that due to the team’s extensive travel demand that saw them take a flight almost every three-four days, it is the fast-bowlers who would get the luxury seats.
The Indian pacers have wreaked havoc in the tournament so far with Arshdeep Singh leading the way with a total of 10 wickets. Hardik Pandya has eight scalps to his name while Mohammed Shami has six dismissals. Bhunveshwar Kumar has also chipped in with four wickets.
