Kapil Dev raises concerns over player injuries amid Cricket demands

Renowned for leading India to the 1983 World Cup triumph, Kapil Dev has raised concerns about the increasing injury toll among Indian cricketers due to their hectic schedules. Speaking at the Tata Steel Golf prize distribution ceremony, Kapil noted that players are on the field for nearly 10 months each year, leading to more frequent injuries. The National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru has turned into a rehabilitation hub for players, with more time being spent on recovery than on training.

India's pacer Jasprit Bumrah is the latest casualty, having missed the second innings of the final Test in Sydney due to a back injury. Initially part of the Champions Trophy squad, Bumrah has since been ruled out.

Mohammed Shami, who emerged as India's top wicket-taker with 24 wickets in the 2023 ODI World Cup, also suffered a leg injury after the finals, requiring surgery. His 14-month recovery sidelined him from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, which India lost for the first time in a decade. Without Shami, Bumrah lacked a dependable bowling partner.

Kapil commented, "The only thing that worries me is that they play for 10 months a year -- injuries will be much more common."

When asked about Bumrah's absence from the Champions Trophy, Kapil emphasized the importance of teamwork over individual players. He remarked, "Why talk about someone who is not in the team? It's a team game, and the team has to win, not individuals. If we play as a team, we will definitely win."

India is set to start its Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20. Kapil expressed excitement about the young talent in Indian cricket. "When you see the youngsters, their confidence is unbelievable. We didn't have this much confidence when we were young. Good luck to them."

A golf enthusiast and current PGTI president, Kapil also made a plug for the sport. "Tell everyone to play golf. If they are not playing cricket, they should come and play golf. If they do, their performance will be better."

He likened the rise of Saudi-backed LIV Golf to IPL’s transformation of cricket. Kapil stated, "When the IPL came, everyone benefited. The more tournaments, the better. The more events that happen, the better it is for the players."

LIV Golf features lucrative contracts and unique tournament formats, sparking controversy but attracting top golfers. Kapil called for more golf infrastructure in India to boost Olympic prospects.

"You have to build more golf courses -- only then can we play and do well in the Olympics," he insisted. "More driving ranges will lead to more players emerging, just like schools produce students."

Kapil dismissed the idea that golf is an elite sport, pointing to cricket’s evolution. "About 60 years ago, only royals played cricket -- look at it now! The same will happen with golf; common people will play. This game is for everyone," he concluded.