Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has said that he wants India pacers to be cricket fit and not gym fit. Speaking to India Today on Monday, 21 August, Gavaskar gave his views on India’s Asia Cup 2023 squad and spoke in particular about the bowlers who are returning from their respective injury layoffs.
Gavaskar said that the injuries that India bowlers are copping are possibly due to lifting weights in the gym. Both Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna will be returning to the 50-over format in the Asia Cup after long injuries layovers.
While Bumrah was out for 11 months, Prashid did not play for India since August 2023. Bumrah copped a stress fracture in his back which required surgical intervention earlier this year. Prasidh’s issue was more complicated and required careful attention before returning to the cricketing fray.
“If you look at all these injuries that happen, happen when you are trying to lift weights. I am no expert and I could be wrong, but I think they are trying to lift weights much more than what they should be doing. I don’t think that helps your cricket. It did not happen in the fast and in the past bowlers did not get these many back injuries,” Gavaskar said.
India have selected a strong team for the continental tournament. The likes of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are also set for a return in international cricket. The middle-order batters have been away since March-April. While Iyer had a recurring issue with his back, Rahul got injured while fielding in the Indian Premier League.
“I do believe that cricketing fitness is more important. I think Ajit Agarkar being the chairman of the selection committee will be able to throw light on the fact what bio-mechanics experts are doing right now in the franchises,” Gavaskar said.
“You have to get cricket fit. It is not the question of how many miles you run on the treadmill, it is about how many miles you run with the ball,” Gavaskar further added.
