Kapil Dev Blames Cramped Cricket Calendar for Rising Player Injuries, Urges Systemic Reforms

Legendary cricketer Kapil Dev has raised alarms over India’s packed cricket schedule, citing it as the primary cause for frequent injuries to star players like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. "They play for 10 months a year—injuries will be much more common," he stated, pointing out that the National Cricket Academy now functions more as a rehab hub. Bumrah’s absence from the ICC Champions Trophy (due to a recurring back injury) and Shami’s 14-month recovery post-surgery underscore the toll of relentless fixtures. Dev urged a focus on team resilience, insisting, "Cricket is a team sport, not individual brilliance".

 

Sources: Business Standard, Indian Express, The Print, PTI