The Indian women’s cricket team has felt a distinct void in the pace bowling department of late, especially in the ongoing contests. Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. Although the team has successfully won more than 50 World Cups in his absence, the fast bowling all-rounder’s unique balance Pooja Vastrakar what he brings to the team remains irreplaceable. Having been sidelined since the end of 2024 due to a severe shoulder injury that required surgery, Vastrakar’s return to fitness has been a tough test of patience. However, elite sports rehabilitation is rarely a lonely journey. on the edge Madhya Pradesh Women’s T20 LeagueVastrakar talks about his intensive recovery period and sheds light on the important behind-the-scenes mentorship with India’s first male speedster, jasprit bumrahat the address BCCI Center of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
Pooja Vastrakar reveals Jasprit Bumrah’s contribution during BCCI’s rehabilitation at CoE
Vastrakar’s road to recovery faced several unexpected obstacles. Initially, his medical team planned the shoulder surgery around a strict eight-month recovery window to ensure he was ready for major international fixtures. Unfortunately, structural healing does not always follow a schedule.
“We had planned the surgery so that I would have eight months to recover, but that didn’t happen because even after eight months, I still hadn’t regained my range. After you’ve been in those situations so many times, it doesn’t bother you anymore. You know how to deal with it,” Vastrakar told ESPNcricinfo.
During this long stint at CE, Vastrakar found solace and wisdom in the presence of veteran international cricketers who frequented the facility for their fitness treatments. Dealing with the experienced India pacers like it Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Bumrah changed his perspective on the physical demands of fast bowling. He noted that discussions in the AEC often revolve around the biomechanical anomalies of pace bowling, which confirms that putting three to four times one’s own body weight on the landing leg is naturally punishing for the human body.
It was his deep conversations”Boom Bhai” (Bumrah) provided the final mental breakthrough.Coming off a career-threatening back fracture that resulted in surgery and an 11-month layoff between 2022 and 2023, Bumrah has been uniquely qualified to guide him through the dark stages of rehabilitation.
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The power of perspective in elite sports rehabilitation
Bumrah shared his struggles with Vastrakar and reminded him that spending a year and a half in constant injury, surgery and rehabilitation is an unfortunate reality of modern fast bowling. His advice was based on sound pragmatism: injuries are inevitable, but control over one’s daily process is imperative. Reflecting on Bumrah’s comforting words, Vastrakar shared:
“During this time I had a lot of conversation with Boom bhai (Bumrah). He explained: “Looking at my career, I’ve had a lot of similar things happen to me. I’ve been out for a long time, I’ve been in rehab for six months. Then I had surgery, so it’s been a year and a half. He just said these things are going to happen; all you can do is focus on your process and whatever you have control over..”
This mentorship helped Vastrakar fight the psychological trap of staying in missed tournaments or worrying about his future form. By shifting her focus completely to the present moment, she was able to embrace the grueling daily routine of physical therapy and strength training.
“True, in such stages we either dwell on the past or worry about the future. We forget to enjoy the now. And now it is in our hands, the process is in our hands. And this process becomes a big part of successhe added.
This psychological recalibration not only aided his physical recovery, but also improved his approach to the game. As he approaches his competitive comeback, the lessons he learned from the Indian pacer will surely shape the next chapter of his international career.
This article was originally published here WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
