India recently concluded a 2-2 Test series against England, marking one of their most notable overseas performances. The series featured
Jasprit Bumrah's comeback after recovering from a back injury that had sidelined him during last year's Australia series.
Bumrah participated in three out of five matches due to workload management concerns, claiming 14 wickets with two five-wicket hauls. Several cricket legends, including
Sunil Gavaskar, have expressed concerns about workload management.
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Sandeep Patil shared his views on workload management during an interaction with Mid-Day.
"Workload management is nonsense. You are either fit or unfit, and that's how we [his selection committee] picked teams. We did not entertain this workload business. Modern-day players have all the facilities. We did not have such rehab programmes in our playing days. At times, we carried on playing despite injuries. Let's just say we were happy playing for the country… no naatak," said Sandeep.
Patil questioned the
BCCI's stance on workload management and the role of physiotherapists in team selection.
"I wonder how the BCCI is agreeing to all this. Is the physio more important than the captain, than the head coach? What about selectors? Are we to expect that the physio will be sitting in selection committee meetings now? Will he decide?" he asked.
Patil emphasised the importance of dedication when representing the national team.
"When you are picked for your country, you die for your country. You are a warrior. I have seen Sunil Gavaskar bat on all five days of a match, I've seen
Kapil Dev bowl on most days of a Test match, and even bowl to us in the nets. They never asked for breaks, never complained, and their careers extended to 16-plus years. I didn't miss the next Test after my head injury in Australia in 1981."
Patil cited examples of cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, who consistently performed without requesting breaks. He also mentioned his own experience of playing immediately after sustaining a head injury in Australia in 1981.
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