The man behind J&K cricket’s fitness revolution

Srinagar, Mar 16: When Jammu & Kashmir’s fast bowlers charge in with relentless energy, dive across the field, or return match after match without breaking down, there is a silent architect behind their endurance.

His name rarely appears in scorecards.

But inside the dressing room, he is indispensable.

Sunny Verma, the strength and conditioning coach of the Jammu & Kashmir senior cricket team, is the man responsible for ensuring that the players who wear the J&K colours remain fit, fresh and ready for the grind of modern cricket.

For the past five years, Verma has been quietly shaping the fitness culture of J&K cricket, turning a squad into one of the fittest units in domestic cricket.

 

The unseen work behind every match

Cricket fans see the wickets, the catches and the celebrations. What they do not see is the daily science of workload management that keeps players performing.

For Verma, the job is as much about prevention as performance.

“My main role is to maintain the fitness and workload management of players throughout the season,” Verma says. “For fast bowlers especially, it is important to manage their bowling load and training load so that fatigue doesn’t increase and they remain fresh for the next match.”

Fast bowlers place enormous stress on their bodies. Every delivery involves explosive movements that can lead to injury if not carefully monitored.

This is where Verma’s role becomes critical.

While batters and fielders follow similar training routines, bowlers require more meticulous monitoring.

“Fast bowlers demand more attention because their workload is much higher. Their bowling load, training load and recovery all need to be balanced carefully,” he explains.

 

Managing the pace battery

Jammu & Kashmir has developed one of the most exciting pace attacks in domestic cricket in recent years.

Managing that pace battery is both a privilege and a responsibility.

Verma works closely with the bowlers to track their workload through a system developed under guidelines from the BCCI and the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

Each day begins with a wellness check.

“We use a wellness form where players rate their fatigue level, motivation, recovery and overall readiness for training,” Verma explains. “Based on these responses, we decide the intensity of training for the day.”

The system allows coaches to track not just physical effort but also the mental readiness of players.

If a bowler is feeling fresh and motivated, the training load can increase. If fatigue levels rise, the load is reduced.

One of the key parameters Verma tracks is the number of deliveries a bowler bowls each week.

“There is a limit of around 220 to 240 deliveries per week for a fast bowler,” he says. “If someone approaches the red zone, we reduce the workload to bring him back into the safe zone.”

Such careful management ensures that bowlers remain injury-free during long domestic seasons that often stretch across multiple formats.

 

A shared journey with the players

Verma says working with the J&K squad has been a rewarding experience because of the players’ commitment to fitness.

“All our bowlers are very understanding. They follow the programme and often come to me asking what more they can do,” he says.

He believes the success of the fitness programme is the result of collective effort rather than individual brilliance.

“It is equal effort from both sides, the players and the support staff. That is why we are where we are today.”

 

A dream born years ago

The journey, however, began with a moment of realization.

Verma recalls an encounter with a southern state team during his early days with the J&K Under-19 side.

“When I joined JKCA in my first year, I was with the Under-19 team. We played against Karnataka. I saw their fitness culture and realised how far ahead they were,” he says.

That experience planted a dream in his mind.

“That day I decided that one day our J&K team would be among the fittest teams in India.”

Years of work later, he believes that vision is finally taking shape.

“We worked consistently for three to four years. Today when I see the players performing and staying fit throughout the season, it gives me immense satisfaction.”

 

Leading by example

Unlike many coaches who stay on the sidelines, Verma trains alongside the players.

At 33, he often sets benchmarks for the squad.

“I tell my players that the day someone becomes fitter than me, I will happily accept that challenge,” he says with a laugh.

Whether it is sprint tests or conditioning drills, Verma often participates himself.

“If someone runs a faster 20-metre or 40-metre sprint, I tell them I will try to beat it,” he says.

For him, leadership begins with example.

 

Building a fitness culture

Verma emphasises that fitness cannot be achieved only during tournaments.

The real work, he says, happens during the off-season.

“I always tell the players that if their off-season is good, only then can they stay fit during the season,” he explains.

To ensure this, he remains connected with players year-round.

“We provide off-season training plans and specific goals. When they return to camp, they must meet those benchmarks.”

Over time, this approach has helped build a culture where players take responsibility for their own fitness.

 

From gym trainer to national stage

Verma’s own journey into professional cricket coaching is a story of perseverance.

He began his career in 2015 as a personal trainer in a gym.

“Back then I had no connection with professional cricket,” he recalls.

Gradually, he pursued certifications in strength and conditioning, the basic qualification required for professional coaching.

After clearing the certification, he appeared for an interview with the cricket association.

“I got selected and joined JKCA. Later I went to the National Cricket Academy and completed Level 1 and then Level 2 certifications,” he says.

Since then, his career has grown alongside the rise of J&K cricket.

 

A message for young athletes

For aspiring cricketers, Verma has a simple message, avoid shortcuts.

“If you want to become a big player, you have to think big,” he says.

Young players, he believes, must start thinking like professionals early in their careers.

“If your dream is to play for India, you cannot waste energy in the wrong directions. Your focus must remain on professional growth.”

Discipline, he insists, is the ultimate differentiator.

“Nothing is impossible if you maintain discipline in your life.”

The silent force behind success

In cricket, the spotlight naturally falls on players who score runs or take wickets.

But behind every diving catch and every tireless bowling spell lies hours of unseen preparation.

For Jammu & Kashmir cricket, Sunny Verma is the man ensuring that preparation never stops.

And as long as the team keeps running harder, diving further and lasting longer, his quiet revolution in fitness will continue shaping the future of J&K cricket.