New Delhi: The Indian Premier League has become the world’s biggest franchise tournament. There will not be any cricketer who does not want to play in this league. The reason behind this is the international level competition in IPL and the exorbitant amount of money, due to which players are desperate to play in IPL. However, the competition in this league is so high that the players are also under pressure to give their best. In such situations, many times he comes on the field despite being unfit.
Former England cricketer Mark Wood has told about one such incident when the team owner asked him to play even when he had fever. In an interview given to BBC, Mark Wood told that the team owner had offered him to travel by private plane to play the match, but his condition was such that he could not even get up from the bed.
Doctor was examining Mark Wood every half hour
Mark Wood told that, “I was not feeling well after the match. The next match was after three. I was burning with fever. In such a situation, the doctors were checking my vitals every half hour, so that somehow I could be fit to play.” Recalling the incident, Mark Wood says that the situation became confusing when the team owner called me on the phone about his availability for the match.
He said, “I remember the next day the team owner called me and asked how are you feeling, are you ready to go? On this I told him that I have not eaten or drunk anything and I am still not able to get out of bed. On this he said that we will call another doctor for you and I will arrange a private plane for you. Just you play this match.”
Mark Wood called his father
Mark Wood was surprised by the team owner’s offer of a private plane, because usually all the players of the team travel together. He said, “The team owner called me the next day also and asked about my health. I again told that I was not feeling well. To this the team owner said, I will send a private plane for you. You play the match and then you will be dropped at the hotel in another plane.” Mark Wood admitted that he was once attracted towards this offer, but after taking advice from his father, he decided not to play.
Mark Wood said, “I called my dad and told him they were sending a private plane.” To this he said, “Yes, but how do you feel?” Mark Wood said on this, “To be honest, if I stand up I don’t feel good… I might faint.” After all this confusion, Mark Wood finally refused the offer of a private plane and refused to play.
How has been Mark Wood’s IPL career?
Talking about Mark Wood’s IPL career, it has been nothing special. This fast bowler from England has played for only two teams in the league, Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Supergiants. Mark Wood has only 5 matches in his IPL career, in which he has 11 wickets in his name. Wood appeared in 1 match for CSK and 4 matches for Lucknow. However, he did not tell from which team the offer for the private plane was received.
