The Indian squad has struggled with injuries, especially to its fast bowlers, despite going on a winning streak in all of the forms. All-rounder Hardik Pandya, who had just recently joined the Indian team after a protracted battle with a back injury, was one of the ones that wounded India the most. Jasprit Bumrah’s injury in September prevented him from playing in the T20 World Cup and the ensuing series, and India has been struggling without him recently. Former India captain Kapil Dev had a direct response when asked about the recent injury binge that has most negatively impacted India.
In an interview with Gulf News, Kapil, who had an illustrious 16-year career playing for the United States in international cricket and had a relatively injury-free run, acknowledged that cricket’s extended season, which includes international, domestic, and T20 leagues, has made players more prone to injuries.
“Now the season extends to more than 10 months. The more you play the more injuries will happen. Cricket is not a simple game. One has to be athletic, use all the muscles and play on different ground conditions, the softness and the hardness. Adapting to everything is not so easy, it takes a toll on the body. So you crack,” he said. When discussing the increase in pace bowler injuries on the Indian team, Kapil made the point that fast bowlers should bowl more in the nets to prepare their bodies rather than taking strain during a game. He expressed his disappointment by pointing out that a fast bowler from the current generation only bowls 30 balls in the nets.
To avoid it, he adds: “The more you bowl in the net, the more your muscle will start developing. Today, I am told, that the pacers are allowed to bowl only 30 balls. That’s one reason. When they take so much stress to play at the professional level, then the body starts cracking. They have to bowl more than anything else.” The Indian squad is currently playing in the ODI series against New Zealand. They defeated the 2019 World Cup semifinalist by winning the first two games, and they now hope to sweep the competition on January 24 in Indore. With the victory, India will move up to the top spot in the ICC ODI rankings.