'You can't have a Bumrah breaking down 10 days before the World Cup' - Roger Binny prioritizes addressing injury concerns of Indian team

The new Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Roger Binny once again spoke about the importance of improved pitches in India and also highlighted the issue of players' consistent injuries. Binny stated that whatever is the reason behind players' injuries, something needs to be done and that will be his priority.

The former World Cup-winning cricketer was elected as the new President of the BCCI at the 91st Annual General Meeting in Mumbai on Tuesday (October 18), and it did not take him long to set his goals after taking up the role, as he made it clear that addressing the issue of consistent injuries in the team was his focus.

India lost their senior key pacer Jasprit Bumrah to a back injury earlier this month, which has affected their preparation for the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. Indian management took a considerable amount of time to name Mohammed Shami as his replacement.

Binny, at a felicitation ceremony organized by Karnataka State Cricket Association on Thursday, said that India can't have a senior pacer like Bumrah breaking down ten days before the World Cup and that the management can not be put in a situation where they need to find the replacement at the 11th hour. 

"We need to address why and how are players are getting injured so badly. We need to address why they are breaking down so easily. Not just now but also in the last four-five years. It is not that we don't have good trainers or coaches. Whether the load is too much, whether they are playing too many formats, something needs to be done. That is my priority. You can't have a Bumrah breaking down 10 days before the World Cup and then who is going to replace him. It is important (to address it)," Binny said on Thursday.

We also need to look at infrastructure: Binny

Binny, a former pacer himself, also stated that India need better pitches to avoid injuries to fast bowlers. He said that the current pitches are too docile and unfit for the pacers. He also clarified the rising issue of new central contracts for the domestic cricketers who are in line to be part of India's national team setup. Binny assured that domestic players don't need central contracts at the moment as they are looked after well.

"The pitches are still too docile, they are unfit for the fast bowlers. We also need to look at infrastructure. 30-40 thousand fans come to stadiums (for India games), they need to be comfortable. The domestic players are looked after very well. They have got good facilities and they stay in good places. I don't think there is any need for that at the moment (contracts)," Binny added.