Spate of Injuries Haunts Team India’s Pace Battery
In recent months, Team India has been hit hard by a concerning wave of player injuries, with fast bowlers being the most severely affected group. What makes this crisis even more troubling is that several key players suffered breakdowns shortly after receiving green signals and fitness certification from the BCCI’s state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence (formerly known as the National Cricket Academy or NCA) in Bengaluru. Despite modern medical facilities, advanced sports science, and personalized recovery regimes, fast bowlers continue to drop out series after series.
In an exclusive interaction with ABP News, former Indian fast bowler and renowned commentator Vivek Razdan analyzed the root causes behind this recurring issue. Razdan pointed out that while cricket has evolved dramatically in terms of athleticism and commercial demands, the fundamental physical realities of fast bowling remain unchanged, leading to widespread physical breakdowns among modern Indian pacers.
Non-Stop Cricket Calendar and Lack of Off-Season
Highlighting the primary culprit behind player fatigue, Vivek Razdan stressed that the relentless, year-round cricketing calendar leaves players with virtually no time to rest or rebuild. Unlike earlier eras where players enjoyed a dedicated three-month off-season to rest their bodies and refine technical flaws, modern cricketers transition seamlessly from one series to another, interspersed with high-intensity league formats like the IPL.
“In our playing days, we had a solid three-month off-season. That gave us the necessary window to work on our bowling action, correct technical flaws, and build physical endurance,” Razdan explained. “Today, cricket is played all 12 months. Young pacers might have biomechanical defects in their actions, but where is the time to correct them? When you bowl at express speed with flawed mechanics without adequate rest, injuries become inevitable.”
Gym Obsession vs Flexibility: The Missing Balance
Addressing modern fitness philosophies, Razdan issued a caution regarding the overemphasis on weightlifting and gym workouts at the expense of natural body flexibility. He advised young fast bowlers that while building muscle strength in the gym is beneficial, maintaining flexibility is far more vital for long-term durability on the field.
Fast bowling requires a fluid, explosive motion that places immense stress on the spine, hamstrings, and shoulders. According to Razdan, an overly muscular frame lacking adequate flexibility makes muscles rigid, increasing the risk of hamstrings, lower back stress fractures, and muscle tears. He urged young fast bowlers to prioritize stretching, yoga, and mobility exercises alongside heavy strength training.
Understanding Your Own Body: The Jasprit Bumrah Model
Emphasizing that fitness is not a one-size-fits-all formula, Razdan stated that every cricketer must understand their unique body type rather than blindly copying standard training modules. He cited world-class speedster Jasprit Bumrah as the prime example of a bowler who mastered self-awareness.
“When Jasprit Bumrah first emerged, critics claimed his unorthodox action wouldn’t last and that he would break down quickly,” Razdan noted. “Yes, Bumrah has faced serious injuries, but look at his incredible comebacks. He has played top-tier cricket across all three formats for nearly a decade because he understood his body’s limits and adapted his training accordingly. Young bowlers must learn to listen to their own bodies instead of following rigid, generalized fitness templates.”
