From the iSport Cricket Paddock: This IPL season has witnessed numerous injuries. Most of them being a worry to not only Cricket fans but also officials and authorities. iSporter Saurabh Joshi sums up the injuries, the implications and what is to come.
While I was watching the first game I saw Angelo Mathews limping off holding his hamstring in the penultimate over of the game, my first thought was 'I hope there isn’t an addition to the injury list', luckily it wasn’t but what followed in the matches to come was not a very pleasant sight. The number of injuries have just picked up by each passing game and the names who have fallen prey to this trap are star players like Greame smith, Gautam Gambhir, M. S Dhoni, Ambati Raydu, Dimitri Mascarenhnas, Justin Kemp and Wayne Parnell.
Now as I continue to watch the turn of events in the IPL, I think the additions to the list are definitely on the cards. Players like Yuvraj Singh, Angelo Mathews and Yusuf Pathan look half fit each time they are seen on the field. I haven’t seen more straps on the hands of the players while fielding before as I have in this season of IPL. Seems that the players have decided this season to let the Physios sweat it out to earn their share of salary!
Fitness woes have left many franchisees helpless and the performances are evidences to my statement. So what have these injuries meant to the franchisees?
Delhi Daredevils – Injury to Gambhir, Mahroof and Parnell has seen the most powerful team loosing 3 consecutive games, thereby they are at an unlikely 7th position. They desperately need their players to be fit to get their team back on track.
Chennai Super Kings – Chennai is definitely missing the calm influence of Dhoni on the field. 2 losses in a row and they seem to be struggling and the absence of Kemp does not help the cause either. With Dhoni and Kemp both likely to be fit soon, Chennai will look to press the accelerator in terms of points table.
Rajasthan Royals – The team already looked the weakest in term of star players and injuries to Smith and Mascarenhnas meant that the ship is sinking further. It looks a weak proposition and they will have to rely on Warne’s inspirational leadership. Pathan’s hitting capabilities and nothing to lose attitude to take them to a respectable position in this edition of IPL.
Kings XI Punjab – Kings XI Punjab minus Brett Lee and Shaun Marsh does not look like a force to reckon with. The sheen is definitely missing in their performances. Just as I am writing this I understand that James Hopes a useful all rounder is also down with injury and will not be able to take part in this edition. Kings XI definitely needs a miracle.
Mumbai Indians & Deccan Chargers - Mumbai and Hyderabad have lost one player each in the form of Ambati Raydu and V V S laxman. However, the other players are in striking form and have not allowed the injuries to impact their performances.
Thankfully Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore are the injury free teams at this point and the team fitness clearly reflects into their performances, specifically for the RCB.
From the team India perspective it is a worrying sign with several key players hitting the injury list with World T20 just round the corner. BCCI has asked all franchisees to submit a fitness report of Indian players who form part of the probables on a daily basis yes... you heard it right daily basis!! However, the authenticity of the report is something which will always remain a question mark; after all it’s all about the moolah isn’t it?
Did you know that there are about 90 matches to be played in 60 days next year. God help the players! The IPL officials keep implying that IPL is not the root cause for injuries to players; I'd say no thief admits their crime first up do they!! Officials need to learn a lesson from this and work out a plan where they can give players a breather; they must understand
that the players are humans and not machines. If the officials can’t the franchisees definitely need to apply more intelligence in terms of their team selection. Rotation of players could be a wiser option.
Let’s hope that in the remaining matches of the league injuries are reduced if not nullified and the performances make headlines rather than the injuries!
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Sohel Topiwala
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... Very relevant article. Injuries are indeed takin a toll on players. I agree with you that the schedule is congested. But then, we the public wont like it if there are long breaks either. I hope there is a silent rule made by BCCI (not leaked to media) that indian t20 players should only play 10 out of 14 ipl games. That would certainly help. Good relevant piece saurabh. In an article, i always look for humor and I wasn't disappointed with this one. Cricketers makin physios sweat it out for their salaries...haha..and authenticity of the injury report!!..lol i shocked that the reporting is daily..u serious....lol |
Saurabh Joshi
said:
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... A Topiwala - Thanks for your comments.... u invariably the first one to read it....  Too many injuries man... although i think slowly they have to have more gaps between games and make spectators used to the game... I was shocked too..when i first read about the daily reporting.... but its true... |
a guest
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... Saurabh - Great article. Just the other day I was reading an article on insurance currently taken for IPL which includes player injuries. It had a section around how insurance companies (i think oriental) are planning to hike the rates. All in all extremely relevant article and well pointed. D |
Ranbir Singh
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... Nice comments.. but can we get the details of how many spectators normally get injuries due to the sixes hit by the players in the IPL matches.. the ball must be hitting them anywhere in the body but getting hit on the head might prove fatal.. |
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