BENGALURU: The BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) has come under scrutiny amid a spate of recurring injuries among Indian cricketers. This is despite programmes for contracted players being laid out by the national team’s strength and conditioning coach and physio, with the CoE ensuring that the prescribed norms are followed.CoE head VVS Laxman outlined the role of the state-of-the-art facility. “CoE is not a rehabilitation centre. It is a centre where we strive for excellence every day,” the India batting great said during a media interaction at the centre here on Sunday.Laxman, whose tenure ends later this year, also refuted claims that the team management, selectors and CoE were not on the same page.“We don’t like to use the word ‘blame’ because when you use the word, then you’re finding someone as a scapegoat. There’s brilliant coordination between the COE, the team management of both the teams (men and women), the SSM (sports science and medicine) staff and the selection committee. The selector reaches out to the CoE asking for the fitness status report and we collect it and send it to the selection committee chairperson with a copy to the head coach of both the teams and the BCCI.”
BCCI’s CoE (Image credit: TNN)
On the specific case of Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan, who have been ruled out of the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka after being named in the squad, subject to clearing fitness tests, Laxman and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who was present along with other office bearers including president Mithun Manhas and treasurer Raghuram Bhat, cleared the air.“(With) Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan, there was always an asterisk (in the media release through which the team was named). It means subject to fitness. Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan were going to be picked for Sri Lanka subject to fitness clearance. You assess them, move them from one stage to the next and if the progression is slow, you communicate to the selection committee chairman and the head coach, which is happening seamlessly. They understand that the players are not yet ready,” explained Laxman.Weighing in on the issue, Saikia added, “Our selection meetings are held 3-4 weeks before the team departs. So at the time of team selection, we do not know the exact status of the player. If a player recovers during the period, he will be in the team. We do not outrightly reject because of the date of selection. We do not deprive players and nobody can predict the human body; the players are not machines.”Laxman also asserted that players undergoing rehabilitation are not released from the centre until fitness parameters are met.“We have set certain parameters with the SSM and S&C process. Unless those benchmarks are met, or bettered, we don’t release the players. The whole idea is that when the players go back to the teams from the first match, they should be able to perform to the best of their potential,” he added.
HUNT ON FOR PATEL’S REPLACEMENT
The post of head of Sports Science and Medicine (SSM) at the CoE has remained vacant since Nitin Patel left the role in March 2025.Laxman said the BCCI is yet to find a suitable candidate for the key position. Former India team physiotherapist Andrew Leipus had initially been approached but backed out after discussions. In the meantime, senior physiotherapist Dhananjay Kaushik has been overseeing the SSM department since Patel’s departure.
Image credit: TNN
“After Nitin left, we did not get anyone to fill the position. We had Andrew Leipus, and everything was agreed upon. In fact, Devajit (Saikia) had 2-3 meetings with him, but Andrew backed off citing family reasons,” Laxman stated.Among the criteria that is proving to be a stumbling block is the fact that the position is based out of Bengaluru.“We conducted a full-fledged interview process and shortlisted five candidates and No 1 was an Australian. He also backed out, saying he cannot move to Bengaluru. It is a full-time job. It is day-to-day monitoring. Another professional, the head of sports science at the All Blacks (New Zealand rugby team), almost agreed, but he also backed off at the last moment.”“To fill in the position, you require not someone of the stature but the knowledge and understanding of Indian cricketers. But a lot of credit goes to the professionals who are already in the team because they have stepped up,” added Laxman.
CLOSED DOOR DOMESTIC MATCHES
While the grounds at the CoE are picturesque and state-of-the-art, one of the facility’s biggest drawbacks is that matches are played behind closed doors. The BCCI acquired the land from the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), and under the applicable rules, galleries cannot be erected as the facility is designated as a training centre.This has proved challenging, with spectators often seen perched on trees or standing along the expansive compound wall, particularly when international stars are in action.With the domestic season opener — the Duleep Trophy — set to be played at the Centre, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said, “There are some government restrictions and we cannot have a crowd in this campus. But this year, we have increased the number of matches to be telecast live. That way, we are giving the fans an opportunity to watch their favourite players and teams.”Saikia added that the BCCI was open to moving the Duleep Trophy final to a stadium where spectators could be allowed.“We still have time. We’ll look into that aspect. If required, we’ll do that,” he added.
