Page 45 - The Indian EYE 080125

STUMP VISION AUGUST 01, 2025 | The Indian Eye 45

Krishna have shown flashes of bril-
liance but lack the consistency and
match-winning fire of Bumrah.
In the fog of injuries, Anshul
Kamboj offers a glimmer of promise.
Though uncapped at the Test level,
Kamboj’s domestic record is nothing
short of spectacular. In the 2024-25
Ranji Trophy, he picked up 34 wick-
ets in just six matches, finishing as the
season’s top wicket-taker. He created
history in the Duleep Trophy by be-
coming only the third Indian to take
all ten wickets in an innings.
His all-round potential was on
display during the unofficial Tests
against the England Lions, where he
not only took crucial wickets but also
stitched a 149-run unbeaten stand
with Tanush Kotian, scoring a vital
half-century himself.
“He’s a good replacement,”
said former India pacer Varun Aar-
on. “It’s heartening to see guys like
Akash Deep have an impact, and
while injuries are uncontrollable, the
silver lining is we are discovering new
talent.”
Still, the fact remains: Kamboj
is new to the pressure cooker of in-
ternational cricket. The lack of expe-
rienced options could haunt India if
the trend of injuries continues. Rishabh Pant plays a shot during Day 3 of the 3rd test match against England, at Lord’s in London (BCCI X/ANI Photo)

Another young speedster, recovery are handled.” wounded Indian team battling to stay match-winning prowess and prevent-
Mayank Yadav, had briefly lit up If India is to compete consistent- alive, England senses an opportuni- ing another long-term layoff. Despite

the IPL radar with express pace ly at the highest level — especially in ty. The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy these interruptions, Bumrah contin-
grueling five-Test away series — the 2025 has already seen dramatic turns, ues to deliver when called upon —
before being sidelined again National Cricket Academy (NCA) but the growing casualty list for India reminding everyone that while his
— first with a side strain, and and IPL franchises need better align- has tipped the mental edge toward body may need protection, his talent
ment on player workloads. Other- the hosts. remains undiminished. In a squad
then with a back injury. Despite wise, this cycle of “rise-and-rupture” India’s bowling depth is being plagued by injuries, Bumrah’s pres-
recovering at the BCCI Centre will continue. tested. Bumrah is burdened, the re- ence — even in a controlled capacity
While the bowling department placements are green, and the batting — is India’s most vital asset.
of Excellence, his injury-prone crumbles, Rishabh Pant continues to line-up now leans heavily on Pant, Injury crises aren’t new in inter-
body kept him out of the nation- shine — and inspire. In the fourth Test Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill. With no national cricket, especially in the age
of back-to-back multi-format series.
at Manchester, Pant walked out to bat Virat Kohli or Ravichandran Ashwin,
al squad for the England series. with a toe injury sustained on Day 1. this Indian side faces one of its tough- But India’s case feels uniquely chron-
Limping but undeterred, he smashed est away tours in recent memory. ic. Bowlers debut with promise and
At just 23 and with a price tag of 54 off 75 balls, including three Also, India’s pace spearhead Jas- vanish with strains and tears before
`11 crore in the IPL auction, Mayank boundaries and two towering sixes. prit Bumrah has been both a bless- fans can even memorize their names.
is symbolic of India’s fast-bowling “This shows how mentally strong ing and a burden for Indian cricket The BCCI, in partnership with
paradox: extreme potential but ex- he is,” said Ishant Sharma. “If some- — brilliant when fit, but often side- the NCA, needs to set up more rig-
treme fragility. one does not give up in life, they can lined at crucial moments. Known orous and personalized injury-pre-
India’s domestic structure has make a comeback.” for his unorthodox action and pin- vention programs — especially for
been praised for producing talented Pant now shares the record for point accuracy, Bumrah has missed seamers. There’s also a growing need
pacers — from Umesh Yadav and most sixes by an Indian in Tests (90) significant game time over the past for workload transparency between
Mohammed Shami to the newer crop with Virender Sehwag and has over- two years due to stress reactions in franchise cricket and national duty.
of Akash, Mayank, and Kamboj. But taken Rohit Sharma as India’s top his back, a notoriously tricky injury At the same time, the rise of
the frequency of injuries suggests a run-scorer in the World Test Cham- for fast bowlers. Most recently, the players like Pant and Kamboj proves
crisis in conditioning, rehabilitation, pionship era with 2,731 runs, six cen- 31-year-old was limited to three Tests that even amid chaos, grit and talent
or workload monitoring. turies, and 16 fifties in just 38 Tests. in the ongoing series against En- continue to emerge. The road to win-
As Manjrekar put it bluntly: His fighting spirit in Manchester gland as part of a carefully planned ning this series is steep. But in every
“This isn’t a case of bowling too not only stabilized India’s innings but workload management strategy. This battered limb and bruised toe, this
much. Akash Deep didn’t bowl a lot also lifted the morale of an injury-de- conservative approach underscores Indian side is quietly scripting a sto-
in the domestic season either. So this pleted squad. the precarious balance India must ry of survival — and maybe, if luck
points to gaps in the way fitness and With the series on the line and a strike between preserving Bumrah’s holds, one of triumph too.

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