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BCCI CoE Under Scrutiny Amid Injury Concerns; Laxman Clarifies "Not a Rehab Centre"
BENGALURU: The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru has found itself in the spotlight recently, grappling with recurring injury issues plaguing Indian cricketers. This comes despite comprehensive programmes for contracted players, meticulously designed by the national team’s strength and conditioning coach and physio, with the CoE tasked with ensuring adherence to these prescribed norms.
Addressing the media on Sunday, VVS Laxman, head of the CoE, offered a candid clarification regarding the facility’s core purpose. "CoE is not a rehabilitation centre. It is a centre where we strive for excellence every day," stated the iconic India batting great, whose tenure is slated to conclude later this year.
Laxman further dismissed allegations of disconnect between the CoE, team management, and selectors. "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," he affirmed. He elaborated on the seamless communication protocol: "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)
The recent cases of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and promising batsman Sai Sudharsan, both ruled out of the forthcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka despite being named in the squad subject to fitness, were also addressed. Laxman, accompanied by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, president Mithun Manhas, and treasurer Raghuram Bhat, clarified the selection process.
"(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.
Saikia added context, stating, "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 emphasized that players undergoing rehabilitation at the CoE are not released until they meet stringent fitness parameters. “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 asserted.
Hunt On for Patel’s Replacement
A significant challenge facing the CoE is the protracted vacancy in the crucial role of head of Sports Science and Medicine (SSM), following Nitin Patel’s departure in March 2025. Laxman revealed that the BCCI is still actively searching for a suitable candidate. Former India team physiotherapist Andrew Leipus was initially approached but ultimately withdrew from consideration due to personal reasons. In the interim, senior physiotherapist Dhananjay Kaushik has been commendably overseeing the SSM department.
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. The requirement for the position to be based out of Bengaluru has proven to be a recurring stumbling block in the recruitment process.
“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,” Laxman elaborated. He acknowledged the challenge: “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.”
Closed-Door Domestic Matches at CoE
Despite its picturesque and state-of-the-art facilities, a significant limitation of the CoE is the inability to host matches with spectators. The land, acquired from the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), has strict regulations preventing the erection of galleries, as it is designated solely as a training centre. This has led to fans often resorting to unconventional viewing spots, such as trees or along the compound wall, especially when international stars are in action.
With the domestic season opener, the Duleep Trophy, scheduled to be played at the CoE, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia addressed the issue. “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 also indicated that the BCCI is open to relocating the Duleep Trophy final to a stadium where spectators could be accommodated. "We still have time. We’ll look into that aspect. If required, we’ll do that,” he concluded.
