Former Indian strength and conditioning coach, Ramji Srinivasan, proposes blueprint to keep players fit across three formats

In recent times, the Indian cricket team has grappled vehemently with injuries as their woes continue to mount. The current Indian team plying their trade against Bangladesh at Chattogram is devoid of a string of their star players namely Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja.

Amidst so many injuries of late, an esteemed member of Team India’s support staff from the 2011 World Cup has opened up on what exactly the problem plaguing the Men in Blue could be and how it can be confronted. He also drew contrast with former Indian captain, MS Dhoni and highlighted how the all-conquering legend managed to balance his workload despite being a part of all three formats of the game.

Ramji Srinivasan who was Team India’s strength and conditioning coach in 2011 wrote for the Indian Express. One possible solution proposed has been to have different teams for three different formats. Srinivasan gave his opinion on this solution, saying, “This question has been lingering around for a lot of time. Picking specialists for each format is a call that has to be taken by the selectors and the coaching staff. But if the selectors decide that a player is going to feature in all three formats, it is the duty of the strength and conditioning coach to keep the player fit. There is nothing wrong in players featuring in all three formats. Don't forget, 10 years ago, you had MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan featuring in all three formats. Players understood their body and were smart enough to know what worked for them. And they shouldn't follow what an S&C says blindly. They should ask questions.”

He further added, “Playing three formats is an evolution of the game and as far as fitness goes, everything is possible. But for that, testing, screening, training, plan & travel and diet schedule have to be finalised accordingly. There will be players who are equipped to play all three formats and only skill should determine it, not fitness. If there is an all-format player, he has to be trained accordingly. And as a player ages, one has to factor in that as well. Virat Kohli can't be following the same process now that he was doing four years ago.”

Ramji also wrote about the importance of communication between the players and the trainers, stating, “You need to have an open line of communication between all the trainers – Indian team, Ranji Trophy, IPL or India A – and work in tandem. Too much information can also cause problems. A set protocol has to be in place for testing, screening and methodology in training.”

He concluded by scribing, “After every IPL, it is common to see players gaining weight, fatigue, mental fatigue because of tension and travel. Someone has to take responsibility for the fitness of a player. This has to start from the Under-14 level. Setting up the process, template for a fitness programme is essential, or else we are just going to be shooting in the dark.”