Andrew Symonds cautions against IPL overkill

Andrew Symonds, the Deccan Chargers allrounder, has said the increase in the sheer amount of cricket and tighter schedules may affect the quality of cricket in subsequent seasons of the IPL, and has called for better planning as the tournament grows in size.

"People always want more, they want to get bigger and faster. [What] worries me is that players are going to play more in the same period of time," Symonds told Hindustan Times. "I don't know if the quality of cricket will be as high because they will get tired. They will get injured and that's a concern."

The IPL in its current format features 60 matches between the eight franchises. With the addition of two new franchises, the next season could have 94 matches if the current format is retained, and Symonds cautioned against the impending overkill.

"Lalit (Modi) needs a band of merry men who are going to put their heads together and ensure they get it right. He obviously wants the IPL to be the best and the most special thing in cricket. But to get that you have to look after your cattle, you can't just keep driving and whipping them."