Since late 2020, the Indian cricket team has always had one or another important player injured. The excessive amount of cricket these cricketers play – all three formats plus a 2-month grueling IPL – has put unprecedented physical demands on the Indian players.
Even with regular rest and fitness tests, Indian players have had to deal with injuries and minor niggles. Even the fittest of all, Virat Kohli, had to miss one Test match in South Africa on the 2021/22 tour due to back niggle. India were lucky to have everyone fit – apart from Rishabh Pant – during the World Cup. After that, however, the injury saga has resumed.
4 Indian players who are currently injured:
Mohammed Shami
Fast bowler Mohammed Shami has missed the entire South Africa tour due to an ankle injury. It was learned that Shami played the entire World Cup 2023 with ankle pain, yet didn’t give up and put up sensational performances one after another to end as the leading wicket-taker.
He is ruled out from the upcoming Test series in South Africa. Indian management is hoping that Shami gets fit in time for the home Test against England next month.
Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya suffered a leg injury during the World Cup game against Bangladesh. Earlier it was believed that he would be fit within a month. However, he missed the rest of the World Cup and also the South Africa tour. Had he been fit, he would have captained India in white-ball games in South Africa. Now he’s likely to be ruled out from the 3-T20I series against Afghanistan next month.
Suryakumar Yadav
India’s T20I specialist Suryakumar Yadav, who has rarely gotten injured over the last three years, picked up an ankle injury when he twisted his ankle while fielding in the 3rd T20I against South Africa. Suryakumar Yadav, who led India to a 4-1 T20I series win over Australia, captained India in the T20I series against South Africa, which ended 1-1. He was likely to lead India against Afghanistan, but now it doesn’t seem he will play in that series.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad had a forgettable tour of South Africa. After scoring only 9 runs in 2 ODIs, Gaikwad suffered a finger injury while fielding in the 2nd ODI. He was then ruled out from the Test series squad and has now returned home. His participation against Afghanistan is uncertain.
