Mumbai: It seems that the BCCI is determined to prevent injuries to mainline Indian bowlers before the World Test Championship final and the 50 overs World Cup later this year. To achieve that objective, the BCCI has asked a number of IPL franchises not to to put excessive stress on 12 bowlers that the board has have indentified. The BCCI has informed the franchises that it will keep a close watch on these bowlers and monitor their fitness on a regular basis. The IPL franchises have also been asked to monitor the workload of these bowlers.
The bowlers who have been identified are Mohammed Shami (Gujarat Titans), Mohammed Siraj (Royal Challengers Bangalore), Shardul Thakur and Umesh Yadav (both Kolkata Knight Riders), Deepak Chahar (Chennai Super Kings), Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav (Delhi Capitals), Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal (Rajasthan Royals) and Bhubaneshwar Kumar (Sunrisers Hyderabad).
Chief physio of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Nitin Patel and his counterpart in the Indian team, Soham Desai have conducted a detailed discussion with officials of the franchises on this issue. The franchises have been asked not to use the bowlers during net sessions till the end of May. Also franchises will have to immediately inform the BCCI in case any one of the 12 bowlers identified have any physical problems. In case a bowler wants rest, franchises have been asked to accept the the proposal.
Both Jaspreet Bumrah and Shreyas Iyer have been ruled out indefinietly after the two suffered injuries in the recent past. Even though they are being treated by the BCCI, one cannot predict as to when they will make a comeback to the Indian team. Keeping all perspectives in mind, the BCCI wants to prevent injuries to the bowlers as it will affect the balance of the national squad.
As the 50 overs World Cup will be played in India, the BCCI wants a full strength squad available for the torunament. Since winning the Champions Trophy cricket tournament in 2013, India have failed to win another ICC event. The BCCI is determined to end this barren run and will leave no stone unturned to achieve the objective of winning the title in the 50 overs World Cup event. Prior to that India will face Australia in the World Test Championship final at England in June. The BCCI wants bowlers to be fresh for that game also.