IND vs BAN: "Who's Responsible For This"- Madan Lal On Rohit Sharma's Half-fit Players Remark

The mounting number of injury issues that plagued Indian cricket in the previous year reached another low when three players, including skipper Rohit Sharma, were ruled out of the 3rd ODI against Bangladesh. Besides Rohit Sharma’s dislocated thumb, quick bowlers Kuldeep Sen and Deepak Chahar were the other two injuries.

Chahar suffered a hamstring injury, while Kuldeep, who made his India debut in the first ODI, complained of stuff back. Chahar has had three breakdowns so far this year. Add to that Mohammed Shami’s roughed-up shoulder and the protracted absence of Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah owing to their individual injuries and it is apparent that Indian players are suffering from severe fitness difficulties now more than ever. 

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There Are Definitely Few Injury Concerns: Rohit Sharma

India’s performance has been hampered by the fact that they were unable to field their strongest Playing XI for this reason. They were unable to get to the Asia Cup final, lost to England handily in the World Cup semifinals, and most recently lost an ODI series against Bangladesh, the team rated seventh.

Ten months out from the home World Cup, Indian cricket is in complete chaos, and it was this frustration that compelled Rohit Sharma to speak out about Indian players’ struggles with injuries after Bangladesh won the second ODI to win the series.

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“I mean there are definitely a few injury concerns. We need to try and get to the bottom of it. I don’t know what exactly it is. Maybe they’re playing too much cricket. We need to try and monitor those guys, because it’s important to understand when they come for India, they need to be a 100 percent, in fact more than a 100 percent,” Rohit Sharma said after the match. 

“It’s something we have to look at. We have to sit with our team back home at the NCA as well and try and monitor their workload. That is something we need to look at. We can’t afford guys coming in here half-fit and representing the country. There’s huge pride and honour in representing the country and if they’re not fit enough, it’s not ideal. Having said that, we just need to get to the bottom of it and find out what exactly is the reason behind this.” 

Players Can Take Rest In The IPL: Madan Lal

Reacting to the statement, former India World Cup-winning all-rounder Madan Lal concurred with Rohit Sharma’s assessment and pointed out that if the captain is making such strong comments, it in a way sums up the bad condition of fitness.

Lal criticized the NCA, where athletes receive rehabilitation before rejoining the squad, and its trainers for pleading with the BCCI to find the problem. 

“It is a very sad thing. If the captain is saying this then something is wrong somewhere. Who is responsible for this? Are trainers responsible for this? Why are unfit players going?

You are playing international cricket and the result is in front of you. If they want to take rest, they can take rest during IPL matches. Your country comes first. If you are not going to win ICC trophies, your nation’s cricket is going to go down.” 

Indian Team Is Not Going In The Right Direction: Madan Lal

Injuries aside, Lal feels that the Indian team is currently cutting a very sorry figure – a striking contrast to their dominating self in the last five-odd years.

The former all-rounder believes the current Indian side lacks drive and has noticed a glaring lack of intensity and enthusiasm, which may be related to the players’ nonstop cricketing in one series after another. 

“Definitely the Indian team is not going in the right direction. I have not seen the intensity in the team off late. I have not seen ‘Josh’ in them in the last couple of years.

They are not looking like an Indian team at all. That passion of playing for the country is missing. Either their bodies are too tired or they are just going through the motions. And this is a serious concern,” he mentioned. 

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Virat Kohli | Rohit Sharma | Rishabh Pant | KL Rahul | Suryakumar Yadav | Sanju Samson | Shreyas Iyer | Yuzvendra Chahal | Jasprit Bumrah