We say we have processes, protocols and systems in place, but there are certainly gaps. Otherwise we wouldn’t have seen as many injuries as we have in the last 4-5 years. This is something to worry about, especially considering the sheer number of support staff and all the facilities offered to players.
You need the right people to make your system effective. There is a lack of professionalism as far as strength, conditioning and physical fitness are concerned. Someone has to take responsibility instead of pointing fingers in different directions.
We haven’t won an ICC trophy in ten years. Injuries are part of the sport, and it is a big concern for the same player to suffer and relapse in many different types of injuries during a comeback. Injuries on the field can happen at any time, but a player suffering a fitness-related injury shortly after making a comeback is an entirely different ballgame. Therefore, BCCI needs to configure the process correctly. With eight to nine months to go before the World Cup, the process began around 2021, requiring the identification of players to be part of the World Cup plan and the provision of protocols to be followed.Part of the World Cup Mix I’m sure players are more than enthusiastic about it, because it’s a matter of pride to be. Proper follow-up is required regarding workload management.
The proof of pudding is in how to eat it. If training is going well, why do so many athletes get hurt? From my point of view, something is wrong with training methodology, recovery protocols, and other aspects of fitness. Regular screening and fitness testing should be done accordingly. Regular debriefings should be held with all players on a regular basis. This will let you know where they are and how they are growing.
Certain problems start small and turn into big injuries. You can pinch certain things in the bud. But for that we need to identify them. It’s not too late for the World Cup, but we need to identify players. Not to protect players and keep them in bubbles. From a physical point of view, you should play as many games as possible and adapt to more variables. From dietary, physical and psychological aspects, they need to get their system right.
Will a lot of travel affect recovery?
All professional teams have hectic travel schedules. The venue, conditions, time and format are well determined in advance. Therefore, everything from nutrition to recovery should be prepared accordingly.
These days players use charter flights. They trust their support staff and follow the suggested process. Recovery is part of training. Schedules are usually prepared according to travel, time, conditions, and food availability. Players are there to play and support staff have to keep them in shape.
Do players rush back from injuries or hide injuries?
This is where strength and conditioning coaches show their honesty and integrity when they declare their athletes 100% fit. No player wants to miss an opportunity to play for his country. It is the duty of the support his staff to see if the player is ready to go on the field. You should always test your player. I’ve seen players break down after passing Yo-Yo tests, so one test doesn’t fit all formats.
Talking about course horses, what kind of horses are they? Main horse or racehorse? It is important to understand the players and earn their trust. This is why weekly debriefings are so important. Log and debrief to see where they are. Keeping an unwell player down will disappoint the team.
Can players participate in all three formats?
This question has lingered for a long time. The selection of specialists for each format must be made by the selectors and her coaching staff. However, if the selector determines that the player will compete in all three of his formats, her strength and conditioning coach will be obligated to maintain the player’s fitness. Players appearing in all three formats are fine. Remember 10 years ago MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan were performing in all three formats. Players were smart enough to understand their bodies and what works for them. they should ask questions.
Playing 3 formats is the evolution of the game and as far as fitness is concerned, anything is possible. But for that, testing, screening, training, planning and traveling, and dieting schedules will need to be finalized accordingly.There will be players ready to play all three formats. It should be judged solely on skill, not fitness. If you have players of all formats, you should train accordingly. And as players get older, that has to be taken into consideration as well. Virat Kohli cannot follow the same process he did four years ago.
Do you have a lot of gym-based workouts?
Former Australian pace player Brett Lee recently said that too much training in the gym can cause bulking. Not for cricketers. We always compare cricketers to other athletes. you can’t do that No other athlete looks at a cricketer and says, ‘I want to be like him. But cricketers tend to train like his NBA players and (Cristiano) Ronaldo and (Novak) Djokovic. You have to train like a cricketer because your needs are different. What fast bowlers need doesn’t matter to batsmen, spinners or wicket keepers. Skill-based training is required. Strength is his one component of fitness, not its purpose. A fast bowler should have force generation, force reduction, and angular movement. He’s like a decathlete in track and field. A fast bowler should not be bulky. He should be lean, light and athletic. And you need to develop muscle memory. You play cricket based on your skill set, not your fitness. Fitness is like a pickle, an add-on. It doesn’t interfere with your skill. Cricket is a game of skill and technique. Fitness must go in parallel with it.
What concerns (Jasprit) Bhamra does not work for (Mohammed) Shami. All players are different.
Unified training system
There should be open communication and working collaboratively between all trainers, be it the Indian team, Ranji Trophy, IPL, India A. Too much information can also cause problems. Testing, screening, and training methodologies require a set protocol.
After every IPL it is common to see players gaining weight, fatigue and mental fatigue due to strain and movement. Someone has to take responsibility for the fitness of the players. This should start at the under 14 level. Process setup, fitness program templates are essential.
— As told by Venkata Krishna B.
(The author was the strength and conditioning coach of India for the 2011 World Cup winning team and the founder of Sports Dynamix, which trains athletes such as Sharath Kamal, G Sathiyan).
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