The BCCI-run NCA in Bengaluru has a dedicated sports science and medical team that helps centrally contracted cricketers treat their injuries.
“Let’s put it this way: In the last three or four years there are quite a few who are permanent residents of the NCA. Soon, they will be getting resident permits to walk in there any time, which is not a good one.” “It’s untrue,” Shastri sarcastically said on ESPNcricinfo’s digital video.
Shastri, who was India’s head coach until recently till October, 2021, is surprised that some of these bowlers don’t play all formats but are still not fit to bowl four overs in four consecutive T20Is.
“Come on, you are not playing so much cricket to get injured again and again. I mean, you cannot play four matches in a row. What are you going to NCA for? If you are going to come back and then play three matches (after In) you come back there (NCA),” he said.
Shastri urged the players going for rehabilitation to at least try to be fit so that one does not waste their time and money.
“So, you make sure you stay fit and come once and for all because it is very disappointing. Not only for the team, for the players, BCCIcaptain of various [IPL] Franchisee. It’s annoying to say the least.”
“I can understand a serious injury, but every four games when someone touches their hamstring or someone touches their groin, you start to think what are these guys… what training are they doing, What’s going on? And some of them don’t play any more cricket in a year. It’s just four overs [in the IPL], man, three hours. The game is over,” Shastri said.
(With inputs from PTI)