Legendary Batter Calls for Hard Look at Training Methods Amid Growing Injury List

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has launched a pointed critique of the Indian cricket team's fitness and training methods, arguing that recurring injuries — particularly hamstring problems — point to a systemic flaw in how players prepare for international cricket, rather than any failing on the part of the medical staff at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.

A growing list of key Indian players — including Jasprit Bumrah, Sai Sudharsan, Washington Sundar, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Harshit Rana — are currently sidelined with injuries, triggering intense scrutiny over injury management protocols. Questions have been directed at head coach Gautam Gambhir, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, and the CoE itself.

However, Gavaskar believes it is unfair to lay the blame at the feet of the physios at the Bengaluru facility, a view recently echoed by VVS Laxman, the Head of Cricket at the CoE, and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who both defended the centre and stressed it is not merely a "rehab centre."

Hamstring Injuries a Recurring Theme

Writing in his column for Mid-Day, Gavaskar highlighted a troubling pattern:

"While Bumrah has a knee injury, it is seen that most Indian players suffer from hamstring injuries. Clearly, there's something wrong with their training, and that's why these recurring hamstring injuries. These injuries happen when they are playing for India, but unfortunately, the blame is put on the physios at the BCCI centre of excellence," Gavaskar wrote.

The 1983 World Cup winner also took aim at the increasingly common practice of restricting bowlers' deliveries during net sessions under the guise of managing biomechanics and workloads.

"The so-called biomechanics, where a bowler can bowl only so many deliveries in the practice nets, is a questionable practice. Even in the IPL, it is learnt that some of the overseas physios don't allow the bowlers to bowl more than 20 balls in the nets. If in the match you will be bowling 24 balls, that is, if you don't bowl no-balls and wides, then how is bowling a lesser number in the nets going to help?" he questioned.

Match Fit Over Gym Fit

Gavaskar also challenged the emphasis placed on gym-based fitness regimens, suggesting players should prioritise readiness for the actual demands of competitive cricket.

"It's an issue that needs a good, hard look at why these injuries are happening again and again. It is more important to be match fit than gym fit. But then, maybe I am from a generation that had different ideas on fitness," he added.

Gill's Frustration Adds to the Debate

India's injury concerns have also been publicly highlighted by captain Shubman Gill. Following the ODI series defeat against England, Gill expressed frustration at the constant changes to the playing XI caused by injuries. He pointed to the demands of the upcoming World Cup, where India could face nine to ten matches, and questioned how players would cope with that workload if they are currently struggling to remain available for even two or three games.

With several high-profile players sidelined and hamstring issues becoming a persistent concern, the debate over India's fitness philosophy and injury management is set to intensify. Gavaskar's remarks shift the spotlight away from the CoE physios and towards the broader training culture and match-readiness approach within Indian cricket.