BCCI to set up medical panel for under-criticism NCA

"BCCI not in a hurry to organize skill-based training camps": Arun Dhumal

The National Cricket Academy is all set for a revamp plan after often coming under the scanner for mishandling players’ injuries. NCA will be assisted by a BCCI medical panel and a dedicated social media department. The need for a medical panel was brought up at the NCA’s recent meeting which was attended by all the BCCI-officer bearers, including President Sourav Ganguly and NCA cricket head Rahul Dravid.

Most recently, the academy came under the scanner for not being able to diagnose India fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s sports hernia. Cricketers nowadays don’t prefer rehabilitating at the NCA, with all-rounder Hardik Pandya and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah choosing personal rehabilitation over recovering in the Bengaluru academy.

“The BCCI will consult a London-based clinic, Fortius, for setting up its medical panel,” a top BCCI official told PTI.

When Bhuvneshwar was asked about NCA not being able to diagnose his sports hernia by Hindustan Times, he said, “NCA must have tried their best but I don’t know what went wrong and why they couldn’t diagnose. Still, I am not the right person to comment on that as it might say something else and BCCI will come up with something else.”

His hernia was diagnosed by team India physio and Kumar is not sure when will he return to professional cricket.

“There is no surety of surgery, but generally, the standard procedure in case of a sports hernia is surgery. But we still need to make an appointment and I am not sure where it’s going to be. But we are trying to get it as soon as possible. Till I consult a doctor, can’t say when will be the comeback as it will depend on the diagnosis and treatment plan.”

Head of fast bowling, a position vacant for a long time, will also be filled soon. That person will be in charge of setting up a fast bowling program at the NCA. Plus, they will also hire a nutrition head. Also, a social media manager will provide regular updates on the happenings inside the facility.

Going forward, Ganguly has already made it clear that NCA will be the primary center for cricketing development programs and all players will have to go there for their rehabilitation program.