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Out-of-favour Indian batter Hanuma Vihari questioned the cricketers’ work ethic and fitness amid India’s tour of Zimbabwe. On July 13, Zimbabwe hosts India for the first of the three-match T20I series; ahead of the match, Vihari issued multiple questions as multiple key players missed recent matches for the India National Cricket Team.
Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Varun Chakravarthy are all currently out of the national side because of injury reasons. Hanuma Vihari claimed that nowadays, even for a slight niggle, players are most likely to miss matches.
Hanuma Vihari raises questions against Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah
Hanuma Vihari highlighted that Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, all of the team, played an entire Indian Premier League (IPL) season, but when the time arrived to serve the Indian cricket team, they were not available for selection because of injuries.
“I think an important question is that Hardik, Bumrah, Nitish, and Varun all played 14 matches in the IPL, but when it comes to international cricket, even if there is a slight niggle they are out. Harshit did not play the IPL but made a comeback and got injured again. What is the problem? It's not too much cricket when it comes to the international level. Why are they breaking down? Hanuma Vihari raised the question in his YouTube video.
Hanuma Vihari issues a warning for the Indian cricket team
Vihari claimed that the permutations and combinations with the playing combination ahead of the next World Cup could put a bad impression on the team. On a higher note, the batter questioned the players’ will to represent the national team over their IPL commitments, where the top talents of the nation earn in crores.
“If these players are unfit and we have to keep changing the combinations before the World Cup, it will become difficult. Are players motivated enough to play international cricket? Or want to play the IPL for money and fame and take it lightly?" he questioned in a video on his YouTube channel,” Hanuma added.
'Why are they not fit?' a direct question to BCCI from Hanuma Vihari
Later in the video, Hanuma kept Jasprit Bumrah aside from the debate as the pacer played for India across all three formats with a history of injury management issues. It is well known that the Board of Control for Cricket in India closely monitors the workload of the bowler, as the board wants to keep its top talents fit for the flagship events.
So Hanuma kept Bumrah out of the conversation and pointed towards the other players who are currently not playing for the Indian cricket team because of injuries.
“Bumrah is an exception because he is coming back from injury and has had workload management, and is playing all three formats. But what about those who are playing only white-ball cricket? Why are they not fit? It is a disappointment, and it becomes difficult for the captain and coach to fit that combination," he added.
