Sport - Cricket

Doping controversy and cricket

Chennai: The doping controversy has reared its head again. Cricket faces another challenge.

While it would be premature to name Mohammed Asif guilty of drug abuse during the IPL before the verdict on his `B’ sample is known, there have been whispers of cricketers, pacemen in particular, consuming banned substances to enhance their performances.

What are these prohibited substances and how do they work on a sportsperson’s body?

The Hindu spoke to Dr. Kinjal Suratwala, who heads the Sports Science department in the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

“You have these anabolic steroids that help build muscle mass and strength,” he says. Anabolic steroids are common among those pursuing power sports; Testosterone is among the more prominent names in this territory.

“It could help a paceman, who requires explosive speed in short bursts,” says former South Zone pace-bowling all-rounder, under-19 bowling coach at the NCA and domestic match referee Diwakar Vasu.

“In the shorter forms of the game where a paceman requires to bowl only a handful of overs of sheer pace, it gives him an unfair advantage,” says Vasu.

He quickly adds, “These drugs have terrible side effects, could lead to heart, kidney, bone and testicular disorders. At the NCA, we tell the budding cricketers the ill-effects of the banned drugs. Our emphasis is on prevention.”

Vasu adds, “It’s disturbing to hear that some of these drugs are easily available. Often, there is a nexus between the sportsperson and the trainer. It’s a vicious cycle.”

Dr. Suratwala talks about the Central Nervous System stimulants and their impact on a sportsperson’s power and performance. Interestingly, caffeine was in the list of prohibited stimulants till the ban was eventually lifted.

Erythropoietin or EPO as it is more popularly known is another substance in the illegal list. “It creates more red blood cells which increases endurance,” reveals Dr. Suratwala.

Theoretically, these drugs would enable a paceman bowl long spells without tiring.

Then there are Diuretics — leg-spin legend Shane Warne was banished from the 2003 World Cup after he tested positive for this substance — which reduce the water content in the body.

“It is used by sportspersons who want to get into a certain weight category. You urinate more and lose water from the body,” says Dr. Suratwala.

The Diuretics are also used as a ‘masking’ agent. “You are passing so much urine and this can dilute the presence of any other drug in the body,” he says.

There are certain illegal drugs, also used for recreation, such as cocaine that can raise the endurance levels and seemingly reduce pain. The Growth Hormones, says Dr. Suratwala, build muscle mass. And Blood Doping, believed to be used by the East European athletes in the 70s and 80s, generates new red blood cells. Dr. Suratwala argues it was the Americans who first used Blood Doping.

The budding cricketers at the NCA are not tested for drugs but there are indications that random drug tests could be conducted on the cricketers during the domestic first class season. The BCCI , first, needs to have an Anti-Doping Code in place.

Dr. Suratwala says, “Cricket is essentially a game of skills. Banned drugs do not play a great role in this glorious game.”

Vasu is saddened by a few misguided cricketers resorting to steroids or stimulants. “The gains are marginal and the losses heavy. We need to educate the cricketers early before someone among the pack causes embarrassment to the nation. Now, even with the most sophisticated masking agent, you can get detected.”

The erring cricketers have a heavy price to pay.

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