Kanpur, Oct 26: Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice President Rajiv Shukla has admitted that cramped game schedules are making players fatigued.

"There is no doubt that the players are fatigued. But the schedule is prepared according to the ICC calendar. It is not just our team, but the other teams too have to follow it, and the England team has also complained of the hectic schedule since they also have to play back to back matches,” Shukla said.

Commenting on the gap between the series, he said, “I agree with Dhoni that there is no gap between the series. Now, they are getting some gap between the series with Australia and Pakistan. But the problem is that there are too many events in the international calendar and it is hard to make adjustments. We are trying to give the players as much rest as possible."

Shukla added that the BCCI had created a talent pool of nearly 40 players to take care of replacements in case key players got burned out.

"If we have a pool of 35-40 players, then if a player is out due to fatigue or injuries then his replacement should be available at once. We are trying to have replacements for every player. Four categories A, B, C and D have been formed and around 35 players have been taken into the pool," he said.

India, which hosted Australia in a seven-match one-day series that ended on October 24 have a hectic schedule ahead.

Shukla also inspected preparations for the upcoming third one-day international between India and Pakistan.

India will meet Pakistan in a test and one-day series starting on November 5 before leaving for a test tour of Australia in December. (ANI)