Ravichandran Ashwin has come to Rahul Dravid's defence, explaining why not only players like him, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and K L Rahul, but also the support staff needed a break after the T20 World Cup.
Dravid was given a rest after the T20 World Cup as V V S Laxman became India's stand-in coach for the tour of New Zealand, with Hardik Pandya taking over as captain for the T20I series.
'I will explain why Laxman has gone there with a completely different team because even that could be interpreted differently. Rahul Dravid and his team put in extensive hard work ahead of the T20 World Cup, right from planning, since I saw this from close quarters, I'm saying this. They had specific in-depth plans for each venue and each opposition,' Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
'So they would have been under not only mental, but also physical burnout and everyone needed a break. As soon as the New Zealand series ends, we have the Bangladesh tour. That's why we have a different coaching staff led by Laxman for this tour,' Ashwin added.
Why do you need so many breaks? Shastri asks Dravid
Shastri says cricket in India gives enough exposure
Why NZ tour is important for India's new players...
SEE: Indians, Kiwis Enjoy Foot Volley
Should Rohit be replaced as India's T20I captain?