India: Former India captain Kapil Dev has suggested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to buy an airplane for the Indian cricket team in order to reduce travel time and resulting fatigue in an already busy schedule.

Citing examples of several sportspersons in the west, Kapil Dev says he would ‘love’ to see Indian cricketers buying their own airplanes in the future.

‘Now that BCCI is making good money, it should have its own plane. It will save a lot of time and make life easier for Team India. The board can afford it. They should have done it five years ago,’ he was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

‘I would also love to see some cricketers buying their own aircrafts in the days to come. In the US, top golfers have their own planes. I don’t see any reason why our players can’t buy it as it will save them a lot of time.

‘I also believe that if BCCI owns planes, the players will get enough rest between matches. I am sure BCCI can also afford the parking charges,’ said the World Cup-winning captain, adding that such a move will also generate a few more jobs.

Kapil Dev is reported to have made a similar suggestion to BCCI officials almost three years ago. He had also advised the board to establish guest houses in major cities in order to avoid hotel bills.

The Indian cricket team, meanwhile, is set for another gruelling few months at home as they host Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. The Indian team had returned home last Thursday from a long tour of Sri Lanka and will be getting together soon for a five-match ODI and three-match T20I series against Australia.

They will then proceed to another limited-overs series against New Zealand, playing three ODIs and as many T20Is against the Black Caps mid-October.

Before they embark on the tour of South Africa in January 2018, India will host Sri Lanka for yet another long series, playing three Tests, five ODIs and one-off T20I.