'I had surgeries on five different spots of my knee': Ebadot on his injury ordeal

The upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka will mark Bangladeshi fast bowler Ebadot Hossain's return to international cricket after a gap of over two years. An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury he sustained during a home series against Afghanistan in 2023 has kept him out of action for nearly 16 months. Now, five surgeries later, Ebadot shared his journey in the wilderness in an exclusive chat with Cricbuzz. Here are the excerpts;

You are returning to the Test squad after two years. How was your recovery process?

To be honest it was quite challenging. I had surgeries on five different spots of my knee. Usually, a fast bowler suffers from a meniscus or ACL injury, but I needed five surgeries in my knee. The recovery process was long and difficult. I don't want to remember the tiresome rehab days. Alhamdulillah, I have overcome those steps, though the experience was not enjoyable at all. It is tough to stay out of cricket for two long years. Alhamdulillah, I have come back.

Two years is a long time. Did you have any doubts in your mind at any point?

I am not a person to give up. I had that challenge, and I knew that I am not the first person to come back from injuries. I always had in my mind that I will see the end of it. Some may need 12 months to recover, but as I had a big surgery, I needed 16 months. It is tough not to play, but I never had the mindset to give up. My doctor also said to me that it would be a long process, and my comeback depends on my rehab process. So I knew that I would make a comeback, but it would take lesser time if it were a minor surgery. I never had the mindset to give up.

How long did it take to start bowling? You started bowling in BPL, right?

I returned to competitive matches with the National Cricket League after I started bowling again following the recovery before that tournament.

Now can you bowl in full rhythm?

Yes.

It is important to remove the injury both from body and mind. If you can't remove it from your head, it would not let you bowl in full rhythm. What do you think about it?

Definitely. When I returned to bowling in October-November, I felt some problems in my knee. During NCL, my knee felt weak and I was afraid of injuries. I had some discomfort to give my full effort. But now, especially since BPL, I have no problem and fear. I can bowl in full rhythm. The way Nathan (Kelly) trained me in India, the program he designed for me increased my strength in the knee and removed the fear from my head. Now I don't feel that I had surgery on my knee.

Bangladesh Cricket Board has invested a lot for you with a lot of hope. How does it come to you, as a pressure or a motivation?

Look, I can still dream of playing because of the BCB management. After my injury, BCB management didn't delay my treatment. I was injured during the ODI series against Afghanistan in 2023. Head Coach Chandika Hathurusingha wanted me in the Asia Cup squad, but my knee didn't permit as the swelling was increasing day by day. The BCB president and management didn't delay them as they sent me to London quickly and the surgery took place the next day. Later, BCB management sent me to India for rehab. They never let me feel that I am out of the team environment. Alhamdulillah, still they are maintaining it. Fahim Sir (Nazmul Abedin, BCB cricket operations chairman) called me and said that they had the belief that I would make a comeback. He added that they knew about my work ethics as I have always been a disciplined boy. Actually, the cricket board should be given credit as well for my recovery, otherwise it would be longer.

Bangladeshi pace bowlers have made lots of improvements in the last two years. How do you see this pace attack now?

I have been saying for a long time that there has been a healthy competition among the fast bowlers since 2022. It is definitely a good sign for the team. I think this healthy competition should be in every department of the team, so that everyone improves their skill. Our fast bowlers have improved a lot, and they have so little difference between them that you can start any of them in any format. As a part of the fast bowling department, I want this competition to continue in the national team, 'A' team, HP team and other teams. I feel very good overall.

Can this be termed as 'the second life of Ebadot', returning after two years?

To be honest, my career has been paused since 2023. I had a goal to start from where I paused. I want to restart my career. I want everyone's blessings.

What will be the challenges in Sri Lanka as they usually produce flat wickets?

You have to face challenges in every pitch of the world. Even the green tops are not easy for the fast bowlers. So, no matter how the wicket is, we, the fast bowlers, spinners and the batters, have to face the challenges. And we are not a very weak team. I think we are ready to take on any challenges.