India’s rising injury crisis has received severe criticism from former cricketer Mohammad Kaif, who has aimed at the BCCI’s handling of player fitness. His views come at a time when the national side has been plagued by a run of injuries ahead of the Sri Lanka Test series. As contributing factors to India’s injury crisis, Kaif emphasised the absence of important players from previous games and the ongoing vacancy in the medical leadership of the Centre of Excellence.
On his YouTube channel, Kaif said, “We are taking injuries too lightly. Bumrah didn’t play at Lord’s, and we conceded 387 runs. That was a crucial ODI. The series was tied at 1-1, it was the third and deciding match, and we conceded 387. So I feel this needs to be worked on. Everyone involved needs to sit down, put their full energy and focus into it, and find a solution.”
The Indian cricket team is currently in Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series against the national squad of the island nation. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and top-order batsman Sai Sudharshan have already dealt the travelling team a few blows prior to the series. Due to a knee ailment, Bumrah will not play in the series, and Sudharshan will not be allowed to travel to Sri Lanka due to a toe injury.
Kaif was direct in his evaluation, emphasising that the recurrent injuries to important players constituted a significant problem that required immediate treatment. He firmly put the responsibility for handling the matter on the support personnel. Ahead of the August 15 start of the Test series against Sri Lanka, several Indian players are currently dealing with injuries. Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Akash Deep are working on their rehabilitation following different ailments, whilst Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the Test series.
