'It is their job' - Saba Karim questions NCA’s role in keeping Indian pacers fit

With Jasprit Bumrah missing the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup earlier in the year, the fitness of Indian pacers has once again emerged as the focal point of discussion in Indian cricket.

Along with Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Deepak Chahar, Prasidh Krishna and Harshal Patel too were on the list of injured players in recent times and thus, the team management never got the opportunity to test their full strength before the marquee tournament.

Former India international Saba Karim blamed the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and questioned their role in keeping the pacers fit for action. With no major ICC tournament success for India in almost a decade, the issue has been highlighted time and again.

Bringing attention to the matter, Karim also stated the importance of monitoring every international player these days. He asked the Indian management to consider the workload management of the bowlers and to give them proper rest so that they remain fit for a major tournament.

“As far as I am aware, it is the job of the NCA, who sits with the team management and selectors and shortlist a pool of 10-12 fast bowlers. They need to guide the fast bowlers; their fitness needs to be monitored. 

The bowlers’ workload management also needs to be taken into consideration, so that the players are available whenever the team needs them. Why it’s not happening is difficult to say,” the 55-year-old said while speaking to Sportskeeda.

We definitely have young pacers, who can bowl quick: Karim

Karim also highlighted that there’s no shortage of talent in Indian cricket at the moment. He believes that even if the senior cricketers are ruled out for a series or tournament, there’s enough talent in the domestic circuit to take over.

“We definitely have young pacers, who can bowl quick. I can give you 4-5 names. Kuldeep Sen, who has been picked for Bangladesh, can bowl at 140 kph. There is Avesh Khan and Shivam Mavi as well, who plays for UP. I have seen him click 140 in domestic cricket. Kartik Tyagi had impressed as a net bowler during the Australia tour. Khaleel Ahmed has also bowled really well in the IPL,” Karim said.