Former Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist has warned of a Twenty20 overkill in cricket in the wake of IPL's success, saying it is time the administrators give a thought to how much more the players can take.
The 38-year-old retired wicketkeeper, who has remained in action courtesy the Indian Premier League, feels the number of matches should be regulated.
"The IPL is going bigger next year. How much further can you go? We have to be very smart with it and make sure that we monitor that," Gilchrist was quoted as saying 'The Independent'.
"I think we are very close to the limit of how much cricket we can stage in general and T20 has raced to the fore. But, this great tool we have got, let's not burn it out," he said.
Gilchrist said players who choose to take breaks during the season should not be criticised as they are only trying to preserve their bodies for as long a stay as possible in international cricket.
"If someone doesn't play because he has the opportunity to rest, the public shouldn't beat up on him. They are just trying to be as good as they can for as long as they can, first for their country, then their county," he said.
"But the IPL has moved the goalposts and clouded the issue a bit. But as professional cricketers, we have to tread carefully. I know a number of Australian players who have stayed away from the IPL for reasons of prolonging their Test careers and that's something all players have to weigh up," he added.
Gilchrist is the captain of the IPL side Deccan Chargers, who won the title in 2009.
