Page 50 - The Indian EYE 090525

STUMP VISION SEPTEMBER 05, 2025 | The Indian Eye 50

ASIA CUP 2025

Balancing Brilliance and Burden:

The Challenges Facing T20 Cricketers Today

From fitness struggles to selection headaches, India’s Asia Cup build-up reveals the physical
and mental hurdles modern-day T20 stars must overcome.

OUR BUREAU
Mumbai
20 cricket may last only 40 overs a game,
but the format continues to push players to
Ttheir physical and mental limits. Ahead of
the Asia Cup, several Indian cricketers—both se-
nior stalwarts and emerging talents—are battling
unique challenges that highlight how demanding
this shortest international format has become.
One of the biggest talking points is the return
of India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. After
spearheading India to a dramatic T20 World Cup
triumph against South Africa last year, Bumrah
is back in colored clothing. But while his form in
the IPL and Tests shows he remains world-class,
concerns around workload and fitness persist. For-
mer South African great AB de Villiers cautioned
against overburdening him, noting that the selec-
tors were right to manage his game-time.
“I do not think he will play all the games,” de
Villiers said. “I love that the selectors are being
proactive. You cannot expect someone like Bum-
rah to play every single match when he has had
fitness struggles in the past. Managing senior and
impactful players is key.” Jaspreet Bumrah has been troubled by his workload management (ANI)
Bumrah, India’s fifth-highest wicket-taker in
T20Is, has endured a long injury layoff due to a in Germany earlier this year, threatened to derail For a player who has already scored a T20I
stress fracture, and while he roared back with 18 his season. But weeks of intense rehab at the BC- century and five fifties in just 23 matches, missing
IPL wickets this season, sustaining that across for- CI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru have put the Asia Cup is a reminder of how competitive the
mats is no easy task. His case is emblematic of the him back on track. format has become. In a squad of 15, even con-
broader challenge in modern cricket: balancing “It’s been five to six weeks of a good process, sistent run-getters can be sidelined if they do not
player fitness with fans’ and teams’ demand for good routines, and I am feeling really well now,” bring additional value—whether it is as a fielder,
performances across three formats. Suryakumar said in a video shared by the BCCI. bowler, or leader.
Spin bowling brings its own pressures. Kuldeep He detailed how physios and trainers planned his Former players point out that these stories—
Yadav, India’s chinaman wizard, has been in and recovery step by step, preparing him for the pres- Bumrah’s workload management, Suryakumar’s
out of squads despite his enviable T20I record—69 sures of leading India. Yet his story underscores the rehab, Kuldeep’s fight for consistency, Jaiswal’s
wickets in 40 games at an average just over 14. His fragility of careers in T20 cricket, where explosive fielding shortcomings—reflect the broader evolu-
IPL 2025 campaign was solid, though not spectac- batting comes with significant strain on the body, tion of T20 cricket.
ular, with 15 scalps. De Villiers lauded his “skill especially the core and muscles most involved in No longer is the format seen as “hit and gig-
and flight” but also pointed out that his exclusion powerful stroke play. gle”; it is now as demanding as any other, requiring
from Test cricket and sporadic T20I appearances For younger talents, the challenge is not al- peak physical conditioning, tactical sharpness, and
raise concerns about rhythm and consistency. For ways fitness—it is selection. Yashasvi Jaiswal, de- multi-dimensional skills.
wrist-spinners like Kuldeep, missing matches can spite another prolific IPL season with 559 runs at As the Asia Cup kicks off on September 9,
mean losing the sharpness needed to outfox bat- a strike rate nearing 160, finds himself among the India’s campaign will not just be about chasing
ters in high-pressure T20 contests. reserves. Former Indian cricketer Surinder Khan- victories but also about managing the challenges
If bowlers are grappling with workload and na called him “unlucky” to miss out, hinting that that come with modern-day T20 cricket. For Bum-
rhythm, batters are not immune to challenges ei- weaknesses in his fielding may have cost him a rah, it is about sustaining fitness. For Suryakumar,
ther. India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, one place. “In T20, coaches and captains look at field- it is proving his body can match his ambition. For
of the most destructive white-ball batters in the ing as much as batting. Jaiswal has dropped some Kuldeep, it is maintaining rhythm despite sporadic
world, enters the Asia Cup after a battle with his catches recently, and that could have gone against opportunities. And for Jaiswal, it is working on his
own body. A sports hernia, which required surgery him,” Khanna said. weaknesses to break back into the XI.

www.TheIndianEYE.com