Injuries to key players cost India Champions Trophy, says Kumble

Former Indian captain Anil Kumble on Sunday said that absence of key players in the Indian team cost them a major tournament like Champions Trophy.

Talking to media persons at a promotional event here, Kumble said that inspite of keeping bench players around, India lacked key players who were not fit enough to play Champions Trophy, in South Africa.

"India was a bit unfortunate with injuries that we have had in the last couple of months. Zaheer Khan and Virender Sehwag were not a part of the Champions Trophy. But then injury to Yuvraj Singh didn't help either. So when you have a major tournament you want your key players to be 100 percent. But just because you have bench strength you need not rotate you players. Every game is important and every tournament is equally important," he said.

India had lost explosive opener Virender Sehwag and pace bowler Zaheer Khan to injury before the ICC Champions trophy began on September 23.

Yuvraj Singh, the aggressive left-hander, also suffered the injury during a fielding session in Johannesburg ruling him out of the tournament as well.

Kumble, who will lead the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad in the Champions League commencing on October 8, is aiming at gaining some match-practice ahead of the key tournament.

"We have been working hand and have grouped well," he said.

The October 8-23 event involves 12 teams, three from hosts India, two each from Australia, England and South Africa and one each from New Zealand, West Indies and Sri Lanka.