Veteran Indian cricketer commentator Harsha Bhogle raised questions over the Indian cricket team’s injury crisis, which has crippled the national team ahead of their upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which is a vital assignment in their hopes of staying alive in the race to reach next year’s ICC World Test Championship 2027 final at the Oval.
Both Jasprit Burmah and Sai Sudharsan were selected in the initial squad (subject to fitness) but later ruled out due to injures. Bhogle claimed that these two players missing out did not bother him as they were impact injuries but he questioned the absence of players like Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Harshit Rana, who are dealing with muscle injuries. The cricket expert also questioned those blaming the Board of Control for Cricket of India’s (BCCI) Centre of Excellence and called for players to take better care of themselves.
“My concern is that there’s three players who could have played a part in this series, all of whom are out injured. I’m not even talking Bumrah and Sai Sudarshan, because I think those are impact injuries and those impact injuries can happen anytime. I could be wrong, but I think that’s what it is. I’m more concerned with Washington Sundar, Nitish Reddy, Harshit Rana,” said Bhogle in a video on his Youtube channel.
“Washington Sundar is now a bona fide spinner at this level. He’s taken wickets everywhere, even in unfriendly conditions in England. He held his own with the ball. Nitish Reddy, in case you get a real raging turn or somewhere and you say, I’ll play Siraj plus one, extend my batting, then someone like a Nitish Reddy comes in there or Harshit Rana, more of a hustler with the ball, genuine pace and down at number 10, he can bat too. So, I think the absence of those three is taking away degrees of freedom from this Indian side, but more and more, their fitness concerns.
“Add to that list, Akash Deep, the fitness concerns are becoming a major issue in Indian cricket. And it’s easiest thing done is to point a gun at the center of excellence. In injuries, fitness all come from inside, like fielding. And I hope likes of Washi (Washington Sundar) and Nitish Reddy and Harshit Rana and the others are asking, telling themselves, now I need to look after myself really well for my career,” Bhogle added.
Currently as many as 13 Indian players are the BCCI’s CoE nursing injuries, which include several first-choice players with the likes of Bumrah and Hardik Pandya being the most notable names alongside the ones mentioned by Bhogle earlier, who would have made the trip to Sri Lanka if fit, in all probability.
The Shubman Gill-led side will face the host nation in the first Test from Saturday (August 15) at the picturesque Galle International Stadium. Meanwhile, the second game will take place at Colombo’s iconic Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) from August 23.
Disclaimer: This article summarizes a report by Harsha Bhogle. While Times Now has verified the public data presented, the interpretations of ‘intent’ remain those of the creator.