New Delhi, June 29: Hitting back at Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s comments on tight schedule and the player injuries as a result, BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla on Sunday said that the players should inform the board if they need rest and the board will be happy to send replacements.

Talking to reporters here, Shukla also said that the schedule of Asia Cup had been announced well in advance and the players had the choice of backing out if they thought they needed rest.

“If a player wants rest, he can inform the board and we’ll be happy to send replacements.”

“The schedule of Asia Cup was known well in advance,” said Shukla.

Giving Sachin Tendulkar’s example, Shukla Said, “Sachin had informed us well in advance and hence he was not picked.”

Questioning player’s commitment, Shukla said that the same players did not have any problem with IPL’s tight schedule.

“Even IPL had back to back matches but everybody played,” said Shukla.

Earlier on Saturday, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni lambasted the grueling schedule of the Asia Cup.

"We have spent 36 hours playing cricket out of the 84 hours we have been in Karachi. It is too tight. I am not happy with the schedule. Two teams have to play back to back matches while two have got a day off," Dhoni said.

"It was tough out there for us. But I am happy we have kept going. Suresh Raina, Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag have batted really well in the tournament and I hope they keep on doing the same," he said.