Kapil Dev Concerned With Rising Injuries For Indian Players; Blames This Reason

The former Indian World Cup-winning captain, Kapil Dev, has reckoned that the demanding schedule for the current players is one of the major reasons for the long list of injuries. The blue brigade will be without their premier pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, before the ICC Champions Trophy.

Bumrah was in incredible touch during the recent five-match Test series in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 down under. The right-arm pacer picked up 32 scalps in nine innings at an average of 13.06 and a strike rate of 28.37 with an economy rate of 2.76, thanks to the best bowling figure of three five-wicket hauls and a couple of four-wicket hauls.

“They Play 10 months A Year”- Kapil Dev

Bumrah picked up a back injury during the second day of the fifth and final Test of the BGT 2024-25 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The reports claimed that he was on bed rest for the next three weeks. Even though the Ahmedabad-born has started bowling with low intensity, it’s not enough for him to get selected for the eight-team tournament.

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Kapil Dev worries about the long period for India to play games in a year, and that could be a possible reason for them to pick up injuries.

“The only thing that worries me is that they play for 10 months a year- injuries will be much more common.” Dev expressed.

Mohammed Shami, India’s top wicket-taker in the 2023 ODI World Cup with 24 scalps in nine innings at an average of below 11 and a strike rate of 12.20, thanks to three five-wicket hauls and one four-wicket haul at the best bowling figure of 7/57 in an inning.

However, he couldn’t feature any cricket for the next 12 months due to a knee operation. Finally, the Bengal pacer went through one Ranji Trophy clash against Madhya Pradesh and a few games in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy to gain full fitness to mark his return to the national side.

Kapil Dev explains Jasprit Bumrah's injury impact on India’s Champions Trophy campaign

Bumrah’s injury will be massive for the Indian side in the Champions Trophy 2025 preparation. In his absence, Shami will be the leader of the pacer attack, who is returning to the national side after nearly 14 months. The other two pacers of the blue brigade are Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.

Kapil Dev has suggested the Rohit Sharma-led side focus on the current players who have made it to the squad.

“Why talk about someone who is not in the team? It’s a team game, and the team has to win, not individuals. This is not badminton, tennis, or golf; we are playing a team sport in the Champions Trophy. If we play as a team, we will win.” Kapil Dev addressed.

“You never want your main players to get injured, but if it happens, you can’t do anything about it. Good luck to my Indian team — go and play well.” The 66-year-old added.

Former World Cup winners keep faith in India’s young players

Kapil Dev also wished luck to the young players for winning the title as they face Bangladesh in their opening clash on February 20 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

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“When you see the youngsters, their confidence is unbelievable. We didn’t have this much confidence when we were young. Good luck to them.” The former all-rounder concluded.

The Rohit Sharma-led side has been in tremendous touch in the 50-over format with a 3-0 ODI series whitewash against England as they look to go a step further from their 2017 runners-up finish.