BCCI Centre of Excellence: VVS Laxman on Medical Team, Duleep Trophy Venue Plans Revealed
The Board of Control for Cricket in India is facing some serious scrutiny, due to constant tussle when it comes to handling players fitness and Injuries.
Many Top Players including the likes of- Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar and Many More players are injured ahead of Sri Lanka series raise some serious question on what’s wrong with BCCI medical team or rehab centre based in Bengaluru.
In order to understand current developments, BCCI President Mithun Manhas and Secretary Devajit Saikia Visited BCCI Centre of Excellence where they met VVS Laxman where Indian Test legend said Committee of Adminstrators is not a rehab centre it’s a place where we strive for excellence and make ourselves better every single day.
His tenure is about to end this year, and refuted all claims which suggest team management, selectors and COE are not on the same page.
“We don’t like to Blame anyone because when you use that word, then you are trying to make someone as scapegoat. There’s brilliant coordination among team management, COE and SSM( Sports Science and Medicine) and selection commitee. The selector reaches out to COE asking for fitness status report and we collect it and send it back to selection committee chairperson with a copy to the head coach of both teams and the BCCI” he added.
Laxman further added when it comes to Bumrah and Sai Sudharshan their name was present in media press release as subject to fitness which our medical team communicated back to BCCI, we are all okay with that as the management understands these players are not ready to taken on field of play at the moment.
He also gave technical analogy regarding selection and communication where he revealed ” Our Selection meeting happens 3-4 weeks before so any players who is still recovering certainly makes it towards the squad, until the day event arrives, we don’t see these players recovered well that happens in Sports as Injuries are part and parcel of the game. ”
“Our Parameters are strict with Sports Science and Medicine department and Strength and Conditioning Process. Until those bench marks are met, or bettered we don’t release the players. Thee whole idea is when the players go back to teams from the first match, they should be able to perform to the best of their ability” he added.
The other important matter when it comes Sports Science and Medicine (SSM) at the Coe has remained vacant since Nitin Patel have left the squad and Laxman said we are yet to find his replacement.
Former India Team Physiotherapist, Andrew Leipus have been initially approached but discussion couldn’t be done.
At the moment, Senior Physiotherapist Dhananjay Kaushik has been overseeing the SSM since Patel’s departure.
Also BCCI Secretary, Devajit Saikiia where he talked about Infrastructural challenges where Fans doesn’t get an opportunity to witness Cricket match, due to which we have decided to make most matches live where fans can witness Duleep Trophy is all set to be played in few days time to enhance fan engagement and exposure to next level.
However he added that we are open to pushing Duleep Trophy Final Outside BCCI COE where fans come in huge numbers and support their team.
| Topic | Key Details |
|---|---|
| BCCI Under Scrutiny | The Board of Control for Cricket in India is facing scrutiny over the handling of player fitness, injuries and rehabilitation. |
| Recent Injury Concerns | Several top players, including Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar, are dealing with injuries ahead of the Sri Lanka series, raising questions about India’s fitness and rehabilitation system. |
| Centre of Excellence Visit | BCCI President Mithun Manhas and Secretary Devajit Saikia visited the BCCI Centre of Excellence and met VVS Laxman to discuss the current Sports Science and Medicine setup. |
| Laxman’s View on COE | VVS Laxman stressed that the Centre of Excellence should not simply be viewed as a rehabilitation centre. Its objective is to promote excellence and help players improve continuously. |
| End of Laxman’s Tenure | Laxman’s tenure at the Centre of Excellence is approaching its end this year. He also rejected suggestions that there is poor coordination between the team management, selectors and COE. |
| Coordination Between Departments | Laxman stated that there is strong coordination between the team management, COE, Sports Science & Medicine (SSM) and the selection committee. |
| Fitness Reports | According to Laxman, selectors approach the COE for fitness reports. The COE collects the information and sends it to the selection committee chairperson, with copies to the head coach and BCCI. |
| Bumrah & Sai Sudharsan | Laxman explained that Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan were listed as being subject to fitness because the medical team had communicated that they were not yet ready to return to competitive cricket. |
| Why Injured Players Make Squads | Selection meetings generally take place 3–4 weeks before a series. A player recovering from an injury may therefore be included in the squad, but their fitness can change before the actual match. |
| Laxman’s Injury Explanation | Laxman emphasised that injuries are part and parcel of sport and that a player’s status can change between squad selection and the start of a series. |
| Fitness Benchmarks | The COE follows strict parameters set by the Sports Science & Medicine department and Strength & Conditioning team before clearing players. |
| Objective of Rehabilitation | The primary objective is to ensure that players returning to their teams are physically prepared to perform at their best from the first match. |
| SSM Leadership Vacancy | The Sports Science & Medicine leadership position at the COE has remained vacant since Nitin Patel’s departure. |
| Replacement for Nitin Patel | Laxman confirmed that BCCI is yet to finalise Patel’s replacement. |
| Andrew Leipus Approach | Former India team physiotherapist Andrew Leipus was initially approached for the role, but discussions did not progress. |
| Current SSM Oversight | Senior physiotherapist Dhananjay Kaushik is currently overseeing the Sports Science & Medicine department. |
| Infrastructure & Fan Engagement | BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia also highlighted infrastructure-related challenges, particularly the limited opportunities for fans to watch domestic cricket matches. |
| Duleep Trophy Strategy | BCCI plans to make more Duleep Trophy matches available live so that fans can watch domestic cricket and improve engagement with the competition. |
| Duleep Trophy Final | Saikia indicated that BCCI is open to moving the Duleep Trophy Final outside the BCCI Centre of Excellence if a venue can attract larger crowds and provide stronger fan support. |
| Larger Issue | The developments highlight the importance of strengthening India’s sports science, injury management, rehabilitation and communication systems as the workload on elite cricketers continues to increase. |
Frequently Ask Questions(FAQ):
Q-1: What Laxman Said about COE Work?
Answer: He said everything at COE( Committee of Administrators) is working really fine we are all on the same page whether BCCI, COE or Medical team.
Laxman said COE is not a place for rehab it’s a place where we make cricketers better every day.
Q-2: What BCCI Secretary said about Duleep Trophy?
Answer: BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said ” We know that fans come in huge number to witness Cricket matches to be held in COE, where we will be telecasting matches live at COE so that fans come in huge numbers, to support their favorite team also when final happens we will shift it to some other place so that fans come in huge numbers to support their favorite team.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Q1: What did VVS Laxman say about the work at the COE? | VVS Laxman said that everything at the Centre of Excellence (COE) is working really well and that the BCCI, COE and medical team are all on the same page. He also clarified that the COE is not merely a place for rehabilitation, but a facility where cricketers work on improving themselves every day. |
| Q2: What did BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia say about the Duleep Trophy? | BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said that fans come in huge numbers to witness cricket matches at the COE. He added that the matches will be telecast live from the COE so fans can follow and support their favourite teams. However, for the Duleep Trophy final, the venue will be shifted to another location to ensure that a large number of fans can attend and support their favourite team. |
