Was India right in retaining the services of three injured cricketers? Yes No Discuss more on this topic Poll Results Archive

Was India right in retaining the services of three injured cricketers?
- The Appeal

The Offside

With three losses in as many games, the Indian team's morale was at rock bottom midway through the Coca-Cola Cup. Amongst the opposition, Sri Lanka were unbeaten and New Zealand looked set to take the upper hand. India were languishing at the bottom of the table. The youngsters were in poor form and even the seniors struggled. Sourav Ganguly, suspended for showing dissent was forced to miss a game. It was at this stage that things went from bad to worse. A spate of injuries dogged the team.

VVS Laxman found that his knee gave him trouble. He experienced shooting pains and it was believed that cartilage problems caused the problem. Zaheer Khan had a shin injury that threatened to rule him out. Ashish Nehra, Khan's opening partner and fellow left arm seamer had a groin strain and his participation too was in doubt.

This led to a tricky decision for the Indian think tank. It was clear that the injured players needed careful looking into. However, with all else going wrong, how could they possibly afford to send Laxman, Khan and Nehra back? Can one even imagine an Indian team without Sachin Tendulkar, Ganguly, Laxman, Zaheer and Nehra?

The answer has to be an emphatic no. After all, it was only a matter of a few games. The Indian think tank certainly did the right thing by retaining these players. After all, if replacements were called for, it would take them time to get used to the conditions in Sri Lanka. The slow wickets had caused problems for all the batsmen and a newcomer would certainly struggle.

If any proof was needed that India made the right decision, then VVS Laxman provided it. Cracking a sparkling unbeaten 87, Laxman led India to their maiden victory in the Coca-Cola Cup. The mighty Lankans were tamed. But wait, that was just one game, there was still plenty of work to be done. And who better to do it than the men who had begun well?

India were definitely right in retaining the services of players carrying injuries.

The Onside

The Indian team simply cannot afford to be shortsighted. For the sake of a single limited overs tournament it would be foolish to risk the careers of three cricketers. What's more, India's chances of qualifying for the final for the final for the Coca-Cola Cup are at best a long shot. When this is the case, there is no logic in asking injured players to push themselves further.

After the Coca-Cola tri-series India have several important tours coming. There is the Test series against Sri Lanka, followed by the Asian Test Championship and then the high profile foreign tour - to South Africa. With that being the situation, why push three players with a vital role to play over the limit?

A knee injury is not a joking matter. Not just cricketers, but sportsmen in various fields have suffered gravely for neglecting knee injuries. With that being the case, a cricketer of Laxman's class should not be allowed to take a risk and continue playing. After all, he would certainly want to play on despite the injury and help India's cause. A brave and noble gesture.

In times like this however, it is not brave gestures that is required. It is sound medical advice that needs to be followed. In the recently concluded Test series away in Zimbabwe, Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra proved to be the backbone of the Indian bowling. If one of them is derailed, India could manage. But if both were to sit out a long session, who would lead the attack?

India's decision to retain the services of the three injured cricketers was a risky one. There is always the chance that an injury can be aggravated in circumstances of this kind. Why, the risk of permanent injury also looms large. One dreads to even consider it, but what if Laxman's injury worsens considerably and becomes a permanent one? Who would take the responsibility for the irreparable loss to Indian cricket?

There is no reason why India should take a risk of this kind with its key cricketers. The returns, if any, are too small compared to the risk and certainly do not justify the retention of the three injured cricketers.

Archive

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