‘Virat Kohli has been playing IPL, he’s never been injured’ - Arun Dhumal speaks up amid workload management row

Boasting one of the toughest teams in world cricket, India have quite a long year ahead of them. With the World Test Championship final against Australia fast approaching and the ODI World Cup scheduled to be held in the latter stages of 2023, it would be in BCCI's top priority to ensure adequate fitness for every player.

Earlier, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and former coach Ravi Shastri had raised concerns about the rising number of injured players, relating such occurences to failed workload management in competitions like the Indian Premier League. Many integral players like Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and Jasprit Bumrah are currently out of contention due to injury, and amidst rising concerns, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal came forward to give his opinion on the all-important issue.

"The problem in our country is that whosoever makes money, be it a company or an individual, he is seen with suspicion. Virat Kohli has been playing IPL for so many years, he’s never been injured. Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami never got injured. Does it have anything to do with the IPL?" Dhumal said in an interview with The Indian Express

"Shreyas Iyer got injured, but not because of the IPL. Just because they make money through IPL, we start blaming IPL for anything and everything. Injuries are an integral part of any sport. Our badminton stars are getting injured. They don’t play in the IPL. There are so many stars who are coming from overseas and playing in the IPL," he added.

Board has to take the stand there: Ravi Shastri

In March 2023, former India coach Ravi Shastri had come forward to talk about the workload management issue. He opined that the BCCI should take a stand on excessive number of matches, as for the team to perform at the highest level, the players’ fitness is absolutely essential.

"You need that much cricket, and you need to give certain break. Even if it happens to be IPL. Board has to take the stand there, tell the franchises, 'listen, we need them. India need them. For India's sake, if he doesn't play those games, it will be good," Ravi Shastri said in an interview with Sports Yaari.