Injury Concerns Plague Indian Seamers Ahead of Crucial Test Against England
Injury Woes for Indian Bowlers
New Delhi [India] - Former cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed concern over the ongoing fitness issues faced by Indian seam bowlers, labeling it a "serious issue" that requires immediate attention.
As India finds itself trailing 1-2 in a five-match series against England, the team is grappling with a series of injuries just before the pivotal match in Manchester.
Akash Deep, who played a key role in India's historic Test victory at Edgbaston, is currently dealing with a groin injury. Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh, still awaiting his first Test appearance, injured his hand during a training session in Beckenham. To reinforce the weakened pace attack, Anshul Kamboj has been dispatched to Manchester.
Prior to his recent injury, Akash had already been sidelined for an extended period due to a back injury sustained during India's tour of Australia, which kept him out of action for three months. He made his return to competitive cricket with the Lucknow Super Giants in the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Manjrekar noted, "There are options available, but they are largely untested young seamers with potential. Arshdeep is an exciting prospect, as is Anshul Kamboj. I was impressed by Harshit Rana in the one Test he played in Australia. There will always be seam bowlers available, but the current situation is concerning," he stated on ESPNcricinfo Match Day.
He highlighted Akash's injury as a "glaring example" of the broader injury crisis affecting Indian seamers. Additionally, the world's top bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, is limited to participating in only three out of five Tests due to workload management following a stress reaction in his back during the fifth Test against Australia in January.
Another promising talent, Mayank Yadav, has also missed opportunities due to injuries. His participation in the last IPL season was restricted to just four matches due to a side strain, and subsequent injuries delayed his return to form. After recovering, he showcased his speed in T20Is against Bangladesh, but another setback hindered his progress.
The 22-year-old, who attracted a hefty Rs 11 crore during the IPL auction, trained at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. However, after two appearances, he was again sidelined due to a back injury.
Manjrekar emphasized, "With the demands of IPL, white-ball cricket, and Tests, our fast bowlers are struggling to maintain fitness. Akash Deep is a prime example. It's not as if he has bowled extensively throughout the season, indicating that fitness and workload management have not been adequately addressed."
He concluded, "This has become a critical issue, as we see young, talented bowlers in the IPL who vanish after just a few matches. It's essential to investigate the root causes of this problem."
India's squad for the fourth Test includes: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, and Anshul Kamboj.