Cricket needs rotational power, repeated sprint ability, and shoulder durability — generic gym programs rarely train all three.
Cricket demands a mix of qualities that a generic gym program rarely trains together: rotational power for batting and bowling, repeated sprint ability between wickets and in the field, and shoulder durability for high-volume throwing and bowling actions.
Bat swing and bowling actions both rely on transferring force through a braced core into rotation. Medicine ball rotational throws and cable rotation work translate directly into more power at the crease and in the delivery stride.
Running between wickets and covering ground in the field isn't one maximal sprint — it's repeated short efforts with incomplete recovery. Conditioning work should reflect that pattern (short sprints, short rest) rather than steady-state cardio alone.
Fast bowlers and throwing fielders put the shoulder under repeated high-velocity load across a long season. Rotator cuff and scapular stability work isn't optional accessory work here — it's what keeps a bowler bowling through a full season instead of managing an injury mid-way through it.
Sport-specific conditioning like this needs to sit alongside general strength work, not replace it — and it needs to be periodised around the match/training calendar, not run at the same intensity year-round. This is exactly the kind of programming a generic plan can't give you, and where sport-specific coaching earns its place.