Pragyan Ojha's injury a fresh reminder of players' on-field safety concerns

Injuries are a part and parcel of every sport, and cricket is no different. Some injuries are simple and quick to heal while others are career-threatening. However, injuries can sometimes be life-threatening and should be dealt with equal importance.

Time and again there have been instances that proved how vulnerable the game of cricket can be and how some of these critical issues are still left unattended.

Modern-day cricket has come a long way from its colonial past. The game has evolved dramatically over the years. Ever since the introduction of Twenty20 cricket, the range of skills (batting, bowling and fielding) has been vastly different than what it was before.

Equipment, grounds, money, players' fitness - all have undergone massive changes. But one thing that has still failed to garner much attention is players' on-field safety.

Cricket administrators around the world have failed to address the issue, leaving players exposed to a wide range of potentially fatal injuries.

HUGHES DEATH AND OTHER CAUSALITIES

Until the death of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes, the modern helmet was considered safe for the batsmen. However, the perception was shattered after Hughes' untimely death. (Phil Hughes' death unites old cricketing foes)

Hughes was hit by a bouncer on the unprotected area at the back of his neck despite wearing a helmet. He died two days later in a Sydney hospital on November 27, 2014, sending the cricketing fraternity into mourning.

In August 2013, England's Joe Root needed four stitches after he top-edged a ball from Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood into his face, where it stuck between the grille and his cheekbone.

In July 2014, Craig Kieswetter was struck on the face when a ball went between his helmet and grille when playing a county match, breaking his nose and damaging his eye socket. He announced retirement a year later after failing to recover from the injury.

In August, 2014, Stuart Broad top-edged a bouncer from India fast bowler Varun Aaron and the ball went through the grille of his helmet. Broad was left with damage to his nose and two black eyes.

Last month, Australia pacer Scot Boland's bouncer hit Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews on the back of his helmet during the fourth ODI in Dambulla on August 31, 2016. The impact broke a protective strap designed to safeguard the back of his skull.

EVEN FIELDERS NOT SPARED

While batsmen seem to be at an increased risk of getting hit, fielders too are not spared.

In a tragic on-field incident, a promising Bengal batsman Ankit Keshri, 20, died due to an injury sustained during a Cricket Association of Bengal's senior one-day knock-out match on April 17, 2015.

Keshri had collided with his team-mate while attempting a catch and was rushed to the hospital after he stopped breathing briefly. Though his condition improved, he eventually died of a cardiac arrest on April 20. (KKR honour late Ankit Keshri as 16th man, offer Rs.10 lakh)

In April this year, Sri Lanka batsman Kaushal Silva was hit on the head while fielding in a practice match and had to be airlifted to hospital. Silva was declared out of danger after a two-day stay at the hospital.

And now, India spinner Pragyan Ojha has become latest addition to the long list of freak injuries. Left-arm spinner Ojha was taken to hospital yesterday after a ball hit him on the head while fielding for India Green in their Duleep Trophy match against India Blue at the Greater Noida Sports Complex.

Pragyan Ojha suffers freak head injury in @Paytm Duleep Trophy match, taken to hospital for testshttps://t.co/2HQPbG3zmF BCCI (@BCCI) September 7, 2016

The incident took place when India Blue tail-ender Pankaj Singh's shot took a bad bounce, hitting Ojha on the left side of his head while fielding at mid-on.

The team physio immediately rushed to the middle but referred Ojha to the hospital for a detailed check-up. BCCI then tweeted the 30-year-old's photo showing a thumbs up sign from his hospital room, "Pragyan Ojha is doing fine. His health will be monitored".

Ojha's injury is a timely reminder that these head injuries are really serious and are not something to take chances with. But are the cricket boards doing enough to address the issue?

ENGLAND, AUSTRALIA INTRODUCE SAFETY STANDARDS

Interestingly, the specialised helmets were designed after the death of Hughes. The England and Wales Cricket Board last year announced new regulations regarding the safety standards of helmets stating that all must have a fixed grille.

England captain Alastair Cook and batsman Nick Compton objected to the use of new helmets. However, Cook complied with the new regulations after persuasion from the ECB.

Cricket Australia too made it compulsory for players to wear helmets when facing fast and medium-paced bowling in line with recommendations from a review into Hughes' death.

The Australian board also recommended that the wicketkeepers and players fielding close to the wicket will have to wear helmets in first-class matches. The helmets, mandatory in games and during practice, must adhere to the highest British standard.

Sri Lanka cricketers too are presently using the new helmet with extra protection called the stem guard.

While the ECB and Cricket Australia lead the way on helmet safety, the BCCI, also the world's richest cricketing body, is yet to adopt safer practices as use of helmet is still an option in India.

What pains to see is the fact that while the BCCI can use its clout to oppose the two-tier system in Test cricket and also threaten to pull out of the Champions Trophy 2017 due to a fallout with the International Cricket Council, the issue to players' safety is yet to cross the board's mind.