10 least injury-prone cricketers in recent history
Over the years, cricketers have become far fitter than their predecessors who dominated the sport's landscape a decade ago and as such, modern cricketers are perhaps more capable of coping with adverse conditions. As a result, the number of injuries has probably gone down a fair bit, even though some cricketers still find it tough to stay fit for a sustained period.
There are some cricketers though, who have hardly ever missed games for their countries (or T20 league teams for that matter) and have proven to be extremely durable in the face of demanding playing schedules. So, here is a list of some of the least injury-prone cricketers, who hardly ever miss out on games due to injuries.
#10 Rahul Dravid
Indian batting legend Rahul Dravid was in a league of his own as a batsman but what often goes under the radar is his incredible durability as a cricketer. During his 16 year career as one of the pillars of the Indian top order, spanning 164 Tests and 344 ODIs, he was hardly ever outside the squad due to any long-term chronic injury.
His immense durability and fitness levels were also the reasons why Dravid had such a long and distinguished career at the highest level. At one point, he played 93 Test matches on the trot without a break in between.
#9 Kapil Dev
For a fast bowler to miss only one Test match in a career that spanned 16 years and 131 Test matches is a truly remarkable feat. However, that particular statistic is even more striking when one considers the fact that Kapil Dev was dropped in his 67th Test match not due to an injury but for playing a loose shot in the previous Test.
The World Cup-winning captain was one of the fittest players of his generation and took care of his body well. It was not that he never took risks and in fact, bowled India to victory in Melbourne in 1981 while battling through a groin injury. However, injuries never took a toll on his career as a cricketer.
#8 Mike Hussey
The man who became known as 'Mr. Cricket' was also one of the most supremely fit cricketers to have played the game in recent years. He played for Australia in all three formats of the game and in addition to that, Hussey was a fixture in all the T20 franchises that he turned out for during his career.
However, injuries never bothered him, and in fact, he played all 79 Test matches of his career on the trot in a career spanning eight years. He played in an age when cricketers played throughout the year across formats and hence, his achievement of staying virtually injury-free is a remarkable feat.
#7 Virat Kohli
While Virat Kohli would make into most cricketing lists based on his skills, one cannot deny that Kohli is probably the fittest cricketer in the planet at the moment. Kohli plays Tests, ODIs, T20s and turns out for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL round the year, without ever breaking down with injuries.
He did miss a Test due to a shoulder injury, but that was an impact injury, which can happen to anyone. Other than that, considering his fitness levels, one can expect him to play continuously without breaking down with centuries in the years to come.
#6 Adam Gilchrist
The former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman did not give any respite to his opponents during his 12-year international cricket career. He played 287 ODIs, 96 Tests and 12 T20Is during his illustrious career but never did he have any long injury layoff that put him out of action.
Gilchrist played 96 consecutive Test matches for the Australian national team and never missed a Test match in his career through injury or otherwise. In this regard, it must also be said that he knew exactly what he was doing on the field and hardly ever did anything awkward that could lead to injuries.