Sehwag addresses India’s injury issues, cites Sachin Tendulkar's example

Virender Sehwag with Sachin Tendulkar (PC: Twitter)

Team India crashed out of the Asia Cup 2022 following defeats against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Apart from the lacklustre show in the tournament, the team has also endured its significant share of injuries this year.

Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel were not part of the Indian squad in UAE. Opener KL Rahul was making his return to competitive cricket for the first time since the injury he sustained in IPL 2022. Moreover, Ravindra Jadeja suffered a knee injury during the Super Four stage and is now likely to miss next month’s T20I World Cup in Australia.

Virender Sehwag slams Indian players’ gym routines

Former cricketer Virender Sehwag recently noticed a pattern in the injuries sustained by Indian players. While speaking on Cricbuzz, he claimed that most of the injuries to players are not happening on a cricket field, and implied that the players might be getting injured during their gym time or training routines. He said:

“India's problems have been injuries that didn't happen on the cricket field. No one is addressing that. Most of the players are getting injured at the gym or outside the match. We didn't see Jadeja getting injured on a cricket field. After the match, we came to know that he has an injury. That means the things that are happening outside or in the gym need to be addressed.”

The legendary opener further cited the example of his ex-teammate, Sachin Tendulkar. He said that Tendulkar never lifted excessive weights and slammed Virat Kohli and others for posting videos of lifting heavy weights during their gym routines.

The dashing opener believes that such habits, especially during a series, increases the chances of injuries to players. He added:

“Whenever he (Tendulkar) came into the team, I never saw him lifting more than 6-8kg weights. I asked him, 'what's the point of lifting such low weights?' He replied, 'this is my maintenance. I've to play a match, I'm only doing this to keep my rhythm intact, so that I don't lose my power.”

“You see the players these days, Virat Kohli and others posting videos of lifting 50-60-70kg weights during a series, which actually increases the chances of injury.”

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