Former All-Rounder Blames Busy Schedule For Increasing Injuries in IPL 2026

Ravichandran Ashwin linked the increasing number of injuries in IPL 2026 to the packed cricket calendar, saying the long season is affecting players, including youngsters like Ayush Mhatre.

Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted workload concerns during IPL 2026. He linked frequent injuries in IPL 2026 to the long cricket calendar faced by modern players. Ashwin pointed out that international players enter the IPL after an extended season. Increased travel and tight schedules now add further strain.

“Indian internationals have had a long season, and the IPL is towards the end of the season. A couple of decades ago, the current IPL window used to be the break period for Indian cricketers. It is very understandable that players who have been on the road pick up injuries at this time,” the 39-year-old said.

Several young players have already missed matches this season due to injuries. CSK youngster Ayush Mhatre suffered a hamstring issue and exited the tournament. Ashwin explained that they arrived after the U19 World Cup and U19 Asian Cup commitments. He stressed that continuous cricket raises injury risks for both seniors and youngsters. The current schedule leaves limited recovery time.

“Even certain youngsters, such as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre, who are coming off the back of their U19 World Cup and a U19 Asian Cup. So, even though they have had a long season. There is a possibility of injury due to the overload, and IPL is a different beast with the travel and timings,” he added.

READ ALSO | Ayush Mhatre Ruled Out Of IPL 2026 With Hamstring Injury

The latest IPL 2026 injury scare incident involved Delhi Capitals pacer Lungi Ngidi on April 25. He suffered a serious head injury during a match. Medical staff had to rush him to the hospital in an ambulance for further evaluation.

WATCH ALSO | Lungi Ngidi Stretchered Off Field During DC vs PBKS After Suffering Nasty Head Injury