The former fast bowler Santhakumaran Sreesanth has urged young pacers in the country to recognise the importance of commitment and recovery.
He defended the injury-prone Umran Malik to make a strong comeback, Sreesanth emphasised the need to focus on match fitness and smart field management to achieve consistent success.
“What you do in the off-season is crucial. It’s not just about on-field efforts; what you do off the field is equally significant. I was very fortunate during my time-we had a strong foundation at the MRF Pace Academy, especially when dealing with injuries,” said the former bowler.
“We had Ramji Srinivasan Sir as our strength and conditioning coach. Even Sachin Paaji would say the same,” Sreesanth said.
With IPL 2025 season approaching, several young Indian fast bowlers have been grappling with injuries. Umran Malik who was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of the 2025 mega auction, will be joing Kolkata Knight Riders for this season.
However, the 25 year old Umran Malik was ruled out just days before the start of the tournament due to injury.
Umran Malik got the spot light with deliveries exceeding 150 Kph in 2021. Following his successful stint with SRH in 2022, he played 10 ODIs and 8 T20Is, but injuries and illness have since hampered his progress.
He has not played competitive cricket since IPL 2024, where he featured just one game for the SRH. A hip fracture ruled him out of 2024-25 domestic season.
Sreesanth praised Umran Malik for his commitment to raw pace but urged him to be smarter with his training, recovery and understand the fin line between ‘bravery and foolishness.’
“This generation has many distractions-I won’t question that. But whatever you do, never miss a training session. You must not skip flexibility exercises, meditation, or visualisation.”
“You can’t expect results just by hitting the gym and then performing on the field. You need a structured routine-it has become so professional. Whether in the IPL or elsewhere, India has immense talent.
“My advice to Umran – he’s a great guy with immense talent. Match fitness is key. You need to play regularly; just working out won’t bring results. You must know when to accelerate, rather than bowling at 150kph every delivery, said Sreesanth.
“Understanding when to push hard and how to structure training sessions is essential. Kapil Paaji always used to say, ‘The more you bowl, the better you get.’
“He needs to understand the fine line between foolishness and bravery. That’s what Ramji Sir used to emphasise-there’s a very fine line. Be brave enough never to skip a training session. Stay consistent.”
Sreesanth also quoted Virat kohli on why working hard for one’s passion is not a sacrifice, urging young fast bowlers to give their all and seize opportunities.
“The most important aspect for any fast bowler or athlete is recovery. Recovery isn’t just about going out for dinners or socialising. It includes swimming pool sessions, ice baths, and proper nutrition. One of the most crucial elements is controlling what you eat,” Sreesanth said.
“Forget the past; focus on the new day. I have great confidence in Umran and Mayank Yadav, for that matter. It’s about having the belief: ‘I will play for my country and win matches for my team.’ To achieve that, you must adhere to a disciplined routine.
“I wouldn’t call it a sacrifice. A year ago, Virat said something profound-‘There is no such thing as sacrifice if you love the game.’ When pursuing a passion, it isn’t sacrifice. Missing parties and functions isn’t a sacrifice. You need to be in the gym and on the ground.
“What’s done is done. Move forward and focus on playing more. Life is a long journey, and many franchises will come calling.”
Kolkata Knight Riders will play their first match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 22 at Eden Gardens.
