The BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru has come under increased scrutiny due to India’s growing list of injured players. VVS Laxman, head of the CoE, has defended the facility’s role, stating that it is not solely a rehabilitation centre and that injuries are an unavoidable aspect of a cricketer’s career. He emphasized the importance of monitoring players rather than seeking blame.
Concerns have been raised regarding rehabilitation timelines, fitness assessments, and communication between the CoE’s sports science team and the national selection committee. Several prominent players, including Jasprit Bumrah, Sai Sudharsan, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Washington Sundar, are currently dealing with fitness issues.
CoE’s Broader Role and Monitoring Systems
Laxman clarified the CoE’s broader purpose, asserting that its function extends beyond merely rehabilitating injured players. He stated that the centre plays a larger role in helping cricketers achieve excellence. These comments were made at a press conference in Bengaluru on Sunday, coinciding with a renewed examination of the CoE’s injury-management programme ahead of India’s upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin on August 15.
He further explained that injuries are an inherent part of professional sport and stressed the critical nature of continuous monitoring systems. Laxman mentioned that the CoE has introduced the Bronco test by Adrian to continuously assess fitness, especially when players are actively participating in a series, as conventional fitness tests like the Yo Yo test cannot be performed then.
Laxman cited Bumrah and Sudharsan as examples of players whose fitness was evaluated using multiple parameters before decisions were made about their availability. He maintained that communication between the CoE and team management is seamless.
Despite these assurances, both Bumrah and Sudharsan were initially included in India’s squad for the Sri Lanka Tests subject to fitness. However, medical and sports science experts at the CoE ultimately advised caution after assessing their conditions.
Bumrah’s absence is notable, as he continues to experience issues with his knee following an impact injury, requiring additional recovery time due to fluid retention. Sudharsan, who had been batting in the nets as part of his recovery, continued to feel pain in his left big toe.
Player Injuries and External Pressures
A source at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence indicated that players often compete in the IPL while injured due to franchise and financial pressures. This situation, according to the source, makes their rehabilitation at the CoE more challenging.
The increasing number of injuries, particularly those related to overuse and stress, is attributed to the demands of “too much cricket” and the physiological limits of the human body. The source noted that such injuries, especially in older players, can be unpredictable in terms of recovery timelines.
Sudharsan was ruled out of the Sri Lanka series due to a big toe injury sustained during an India A Test against Sri Lanka A. He had scored two centuries in the ‘A’ Tests before the injury. Bumrah was sidelined after a left knee niggle sustained during an ODI against England. Auqib Nabi, a seamer from Jammu and Kashmir, has replaced him in the Test squad.
Harshit Rana is recovering from a Grade 1 biceps femoris muscle strain, which occurred after his return from a significant right knee ligament injury and surgery. Nitish Kumar Reddy is recovering from a left quadriceps injury that led him to miss recent white-ball tours. Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the first Test due to a hamstring injury, and Akash Deep remains unavailable due to stress reactions in his back.
There is also a fitness concern surrounding India captain Shubman Gill, though he has not been ruled out of the series. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia met with Laxman at the CoE in Bengaluru on Sunday to review the rehabilitation and injury-management programme. The BCCI is concerned about the number of unavailable players and whether the timelines provided by the CoE align with the selectors’ expectations. Laxman reiterated that the process focuses on continuous assessment and communication rather than assigning blame for setbacks.
With a demanding Test season ahead and a growing injury list, the CoE is expected to remain under close observation. Laxman’s message underscores the facility’s role in managing players’ overall journey toward sustained excellence.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
