Overview

• Sunil Gavaskar contrasted Kapil Dev’s net-centric routine with today’s gym-focused workouts and praised Dev’s long-spell bowling drills.
• He argued that modern fast bowlers’ heavy weightlifting contributes to higher rates of back injuries compared with earlier generations.
• Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the second Test at Edgbaston under a pre-planned three-of-five matches workload policy.
• Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami and rising speedsters Mayank Yadav and Umran Malik have all missed significant cricket due to back and stress injuries.
• India management’s emphasis on controlled bowling loads highlights a broader debate over balancing gym work and role-specific practice for pace resources.