Anil Kumble reckons players need to play domestic cricket before making a comeback from injury

Four of the Indian regular cricketers KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rohit Sharma sustained injuries in the recent past. The Indian team would surely miss the services of these cricketers and would love to have them back as quickly as possible.

But the coach of the Indian team Anil Kumble has stated that the players first need to play domestic cricket after recovering from injuries and then only they would be considered for selection in the national squad. According to him, players need to focus on being fully fit and suppress the eagerness to get quickly fit.

Before the Test series against England, he was quoted as saying, “Communication is key in any team activity. Whether doing well or not, communication with injured players is equally important. Having played the game, I know exactly what goes through players’ mind while watching somebody else playing. While he expects the team and that player to do well, it is important to keep all of them in the loop.”

Expressing his concerns over the injuries to the top players, he added, “It is unfortunate that KL Rahul, who batted brilliantly, is missing out. So is Bhuvi, Shikhar. And it’s a big blow for Rohit. Especially feel sad for Rohit as he was doing well in Test format. Obviously, we all know the importance of Rohit in the shorter format.”

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“Timing of injuries is not ideal for them. They realize it’s an occupational hazard. One should not look at coming back quickly. That might not help the individual and also let the team down. I believe in comeback when someone is 100 percent. We are trying to set certain protocols. We want people to play domestic cricket if it’s happening. Play under pressure before coming back. One needs to understand that injuries are part and parcel of a player’s life”, the former leg-spinner added.

India will start the 5-Tests series against England at Rajkot on 9th November. Despite the injuries to the premier players, India is blessed to have the replacements that are good enough at the international level and would look to avenge the defeat it received at the hands of England in 2012/13.