Former India seamer Ashish Nehra has raised concerns that a length lay-off from cricket and regular training will prove particularly hard on the fitness of fast bowlers.

India are in the second week of a 21-day lockdown, and even after it’s lifted, the possibility of another lockdown being imposed isn’t too far-fetched.

Nehra said he wasn’t expecting any cricket to take place before July, and a three-month lay-off from regular running exercises would make it particularly hard for fast bowlers to regain fitness.

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“Even if the lockdown ends on April 15, it will take a lot of time for social life to become normal,” Nehra told PTI. “If you ask me, I am not expecting any cricketing activity before July. So this is a long break, but once action starts, fast bowlers have the biggest challenge to remain fit.

“Lack of running time for fast bowlers is an issue. Now the situation is unavoidable. So whoever at least has a garden with say 15 metres or 20 metres space, they should do shuttle run thrice a week unless they are allowed to train at grounds.

“You can do as much of yoga or free weights, fast bowler’s life is nothing without good running time. There is a lot of difference with batsmen.”

Nehra added that bowlers should avoid running on hard, cemented surfaces as “you will end up damaging your knees and ankles” and hoped that once the lockdown is lifted, the players can access the grounds for better facilities.

“Injuries can happen to anyone,” he said. “The fast bowler who has trained the least might be fitter than fast bowler who has trained the most. The nature of sport is such. But yes, I hope that if lockdown ends, they have access to grounds.”