Naveen-ul-Haq Reflects on Injury Struggles After Guidance from Gambhir
Afghanistan fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq experienced a crushing setback in September during the three-match T20I series against India in Delhi. Just 20 minutes before the toss for the opening game, the pacer felt his shoulder injury flare up again, forcing him to withdraw from the series. The incident left him feeling shattered, as he had spent nine months strictly focused on fitness, rehabilitation, and rebuilding his strength. You work so hard, you come out of all these hardships, rehab, and loneliness, and then just 20 minutes before the toss, you get this setback again, you have so much patience. So I withdrew,” he added, i felt something (in my shoulder). It’s your peak time, and then you can just hang up your boots and say that’s it, that’s my time,” he said, till 34 to 35. For me, it doesn’t matter if I come and prove myself to someone.
Reflecting on the emotional toll, Naveen described the ordeal of returning to the sport after a two-year hiatus from international cricket, only to face such a sudden physical obstacle.
He noted that the recovery process, characterized by periods of intense training and isolation, makes these setbacks particularly difficult to process. “It’s tough, but at the end of the day, it is what it is. One cannot show sympathy or feel sorry for what is happening to me, at the end of the day.
However, he emphasized that he has accepted the realities of being a fast bowler, acknowledging that injuries, surgeries, and long periods of rehab are often part and parcel of a professional career. Or perhaps none at all, who haven’t had surgery, rehab, or repeated injuries, there are very few fast bowlers.
Naveen has not represented his national team in two years and has been absent from professional cricket since December 2025. His career path was interrupted by a right shoulder stress injury, which saw him miss the T20 World Cup. Although the initial stress fracture healed, his return was further complicated by a second surgery for a labrum repair to tighten the shoulder capsule. He remarked that he no longer sees any point in dwelling on the past or seeking sympathy for his situation. “I was traveling all day, either playing for the national team or getting free from there and playing in different leagues. Naveen is not in a hurry to prove anything and isn’t in a rush to make a comeback.
The 27-year-old expressed a determination to play at the highest level for another seven to eight years before retiring in his mid-thirties. He believes he must accept the trade-offs that come with an athlete’s lifestyle, including missing major tournaments like the Asia Cup or the World Cup, to ensure his long-term viability. He intends to remain mentally prepared for the ups and downs of his profession rather than allowing himself to wallow at home. “I didn’t play because I didn’t want to take a risk. “It’s quite difficult, to be honest, because this has been going on with me for a long time.
During this challenging period, a conversation with Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir provided significant clarity. The two had previously worked together at the Lucknow Super Giants during the IPL. After the third T20I against India, Naveen and Gambhir spoke for about 25 minutes, during which Naveen opened up about the frustration of his recurring injuries. He credited this interaction with helping him shift his perspective, stop dwelling on his problems, and find the motivation to begin his recovery process anew. “GG bhai was our coach in Lucknow in the IPL, and to be really honest, it helped me quite a lot to have that 20-25 minutes of chat with him. I was a bit down initially when I spoke to him.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his physical condition, Naveen remains confident in his technical abilities and past performances. He stated that he feels no need to prove his worth to anyone, as his track record speaks for itself. He emphasized that once he is back to full fitness and capable of bowling his full quota of four overs with match-level intensity, he has no doubts about his effectiveness for any team.
Looking ahead, the pacer has intentionally avoided setting a specific timeline for his return to avoid placing undue pressure on himself. His primary goal is to reach a level of 100 to 120 percent assurance regarding the stability of his shoulder. He is focused on completing his current rehabilitation and strength training thoroughly to ensure that he can perform without concerns about recurring instability or questions regarding his fitness.
Naveen affirmed that even if he faces competition for a spot in the national XI, he remains committed to his recovery. If he is not selected for international duty, he plans to look for opportunities in various league cricket tournaments to demonstrate his skill once more. He concluded that his experiences have taught him that cricket, much like life, is full of unpredictable shifts, and he intends to remain level-headed as he navigates his return to the pitch.
