Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has strongly questioned the Indian cricket team's current fitness and training methods. His comments come amid a growing injury crisis that has sidelined several key players from national duty. Gavaskar emphasized the critical need for players to be "match-fit" rather than merely "gym-fit," suggesting a deeper issue with the team's preparation.He notably defended the physios at the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, stating that the problem lies squarely with the training protocols themselves, not the medical staff.[timesofindia+10]
Recurring Injuries Spark Concern
India is currently grappling with a significant and concerning number of injured cricketers, impacting its squad selection. Key players such as fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah (knee injury), young opener Sai Sudharsan (left big toe), all-rounder Washington Sundar (quadriceps), seasoned Hardik Pandya (quadriceps), and emerging talents like Nitish Kumar Reddy (hamstring) and Harshit Rana (hamstring) are all out of action due to various ailments.This extensive injury list has raised alarms within Indian cricket circles, with an entire playing XI almost possible from the sidelined players.[timesofindia+6]
A striking pattern identified by Gavaskar is the prevalence of hamstring injuries among Indian players. "While Bumrah has a knee injury, it is seen that most Indian players suffer from hamstring injuries," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day.He directly linked this to the training, stating, "Clearly, there's something wrong with their training, and that's why these recurring hamstring injuries."Gavaskar pointed out that these injuries frequently occur during international matches, yet the blame is often unfairly directed at the CoE physios.[timesofindia+17]
Gavaskar's criticism extends to modern training practices, particularly the restrictions placed on bowlers during net sessions. He questioned the "so-called biomechanics" that limit bowlers to a specific number of deliveries, sometimes as few as 20 balls, in practice.He highlighted the disconnect between net practice and match demands, writing, "Even in the IPL, it is learnt that some of the overseas physios don't allow the bowlers to bowl more than 20 balls in the nets. If in the match you will be bowling 24 balls, that is, if you don't bowl no-balls and wides, then how is bowling a lesser number in the nets going to help?"He argued that such practices do not adequately prepare players for the sustained effort required in competitive matches.[timesofindia+11]
Match Fitness Over Gym Fitness
The legendary cricketer strongly advocated for a shift in fitness philosophy, emphasizing that being "match fit" is far more crucial than simply being "gym fit."Gavaskar believes that while gym work builds physical strength, it may not translate directly to the specific endurance and resilience needed for cricket matches. "It is more important to be match fit than gym fit. But then, maybe I am from a generation that had different ideas on fitness," Gavaskar candidly stated.This perspective suggests a need for training regimens that closely simulate match conditions and build sport-specific endurance.[timesofindia+15]
The recurring nature of injuries, particularly hamstring issues, indicates that current strength and conditioning programs might not be robust enough for the demanding schedule of international cricket.Gavaskar called for a thorough and critical investigation into the underlying causes of these persistent injuries. He stressed, "It's an issue that needs a good, hard look at why these injuries are happening again and again."[timesofindia+11]
Gavaskar also reiterated his long-standing opposition to the concept of "workload management," which he has previously criticized as a "mental thing" rather than a purely physical one.In August 2025, he urged players to "forget the aches and pains in their muscles" when representing their country, drawing a parallel to the unwavering commitment of soldiers on the border.He expressed a strong desire for the word "workload" to be eradicated from the Indian cricket dictionary, asserting that it often prevents the best players from being on the field.[thehindu+7]
Broader Concerns and Future Steps
The pervasive injury crisis has also drawn comments from current India captain Shubman Gill. Following an ODI series defeat against England, Gill voiced his frustration over the increasing number of injuries, highlighting the significant challenges it poses for team selection and overall consistency.Gill expressed concern that frequent changes to the playing XI do not augur well for the team, especially with upcoming major tournaments like the World Cup where players need to participate in numerous matches.[timesofindia+5]
The severity of the situation has prompted action from the cricket board. Reports indicated that BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia was expected to meet with CoE head VVS Laxman in Bengaluru to conduct a comprehensive review of the rehabilitation and injury management programs.There have also been suggestions of a communication gap between the CoE and the team management regarding players' fitness status and their workload timelines.Adding to the challenges, the Sports Science team at the CoE has reportedly been overworked since the resignation of Nitin Patel as the head of medical staff in early 2025, leaving a leadership void.[sports+4]
Gavaskar's outspoken comments add significant weight to the ongoing debate about player welfare and performance in Indian cricket. His call for a fundamental shift in fitness philosophy, prioritizing genuine match readiness over superficial gym strength, underscores a critical concern for the long-term health and consistent availability of India's top cricketers. A comprehensive and immediate assessment of current training methods, workload management policies, and injury prevention strategies appears necessary to address this recurring and detrimental challenge to Indian cricket.
