Why do players experience cramps on the field? What is the cause?

Dr Acharya shares that the most common cause of cramps is not stretching enough or doing enough warm up before the match.

Does the weather have anything to do with it?

In a post-match press conference, Gill told the media, “It started with cramps and I pulled my hamstring. It was humid out there and also after effects of dengue.” Dr Acharya too agrees that weather does have a role to play, but not a direct one. He explains that in humid or moist conditions, like Mumbai’s weather where the match was happening in Wankhede stadium, the players sweat a lot.

Are there any quick fixes that can get players back on the field?

The most common cramps that players experience are in their calf muscles and hamstrings, explains the doctor. The only quick-fixes that can work in these cases are:

Which other players have experienced cramps during the World Cup?

Several players have experienced cramps in this particular tournament. On the same day as Gill, Virat Kohli too experienced a spasm while playing on the field. While he did stay on the field for 149 minutes and secured his 50th ODI century, he could clearly be seen in pain. New Zealand's cricketer Daryl Mitchell too experienced cramps in the very same match. There was a point in the match where he wasn't able to stand properly.

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Gill, Kohli, Maxwell: Why Are Cricketers Experiencing Cramps During the WC?

Shubman Gill had to retire from the IND vs NZ semi-final because of a cramp. Read about why players experience this.

Garima Sadhwani

Published: 17 Nov 2023, 11:51 AM IST

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It’s the 23rd over of the much-awaited World Cup 2023 Semi Finals. India is batting against New Zealand. Mitchell Santner is bowling and Shubman Gill, in form, has already secured 79 runs for the team.

But that’s right when the batsman experiences a cramp. A medical team runs onto the ground and Gill has to retire. India eventually won, and the rest is history. But what happened to Gill?

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Gill, Kohli, Maxwell: Why Are Cricketers Experiencing Cramps During the WC?

Shubman Gill had to retire from the IND vs NZ semi-final because of a cramp. Read about why players experience this.

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Topics: Cramps World Cup 2023