Indian great Sunil Gavaskar scoffed Tuesday at suggestions excessive cricket was burning players out, saying the hard grind was part of the honour of representing one's country.
Gavaskar, who now heads the powerful cricket committee of the sport's world governing body, said he was shocked at players complaining of the gruelling international schedule.
Federation of International Cricketers Association (FICA) president Tim May has mentioned the possibility of a players' strike if the International Cricket Council (ICC) fails to change the cramped schedule.
May, a former Australian off-spinner, said his dealings with the ICC were bordering on a joke. May reacted after world champions Australia went into a Test series in Bangladesh less than a week after ending a gruelling tour of South Africa and struggled to beat the minnows in the first Test in Fatullah. Exhausted Australian fast bowler Brett Lee said after the match he was "running on fumes".
India's obsession with lucrative one-day cricket sees Rahul Dravid's men play two matches against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi later on Tuesday and Wednesday, just three days after ending a seven-game series against England at home.