No miscommunication between BCCI CoE and Indian team management, says Laxman

Clarifying the Coordination Protocols

In the wake of speculation regarding player availability and selection processes, VVS Laxman, the head of the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE), has stepped forward to address the narrative. He maintains that there is No miscommunication between BCCI CoE and Indian team management, says Laxman, asserting that the channels of communication between the CoE, team leadership, and selection committees remain robust and transparent.

Addressing High-Profile Absences

The discussion comes at a time when the Indian cricket team faces a challenging period, missing key players for the upcoming Test series in Sri Lanka. Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan have been ruled out entirely, while Washington Sundar is unavailable for the series opener in Galle. Laxman clarified that these decisions are not the result of administrative friction, but rather the outcome of a data-driven, player-centric approach to fitness.

“There’s a brilliant coordination between the COE, the team management of both the teams, the Sports Science & Medicine (SSM) staff, and the selection committees,” Laxman explained. He detailed the workflow where the selection chairperson requests a status report, which the CoE provides to all relevant stakeholders, including the head coach and board officials.

The Rigorous Path to Return to Play (RTP)

Laxman emphasized that the CoE is far more than just a rehabilitation facility. It operates on a structured, multi-stage progression system designed to ensure that when a player returns to the national side, they are fully capable of performing at their peak immediately.

• Initial Diagnosis: Injury assessment by team physios followed by specialist evaluation at the CoE.
• Conditioning Phase: Strength and conditioning coaches design bespoke plans based on the nature of the injury.
• Skill Progression: Gradual re-introduction to cricket-specific skills to build up match load.
• RTP Matches: Players must complete two full Return To Play (RTP) matches before they are cleared for international duty.

Laxman noted that while timelines are established as benchmarks, the physiological nature of human athletes means that recovery is rarely linear. “It is not a machine where the timelines will always be met,” he stated, reinforcing that the priority is always the long-term health and potential of the athlete.

Overcoming Staffing Challenges

A significant point of interest has been the vacancy for the Head of Sports Science & Medicine, a role left open since the departure of Nitin Patel. Laxman addressed this candidly, acknowledging that filling such a specialized position has been a complex endeavor. Despite efforts to recruit experienced global candidates, including individuals with All Blacks experience, various logistical and personal factors have hindered these appointments.

Currently, the CoE is focusing on upskilling existing staff members who were shortlisted during the recruitment process, while continuing to search for a leader with the required stature and expertise to oversee the department permanently.

Leveraging Technology for Injury Prevention

Technology remains at the heart of the CoE’s strategy. Laxman highlighted the use of the Athlete Monitoring System (AMS) to track workload, particularly for fast bowlers. Contrary to popular belief, Laxman suggested that injuries in fast bowlers are often a result of not bowling enough, rather than over-bowling.

By utilizing GPS tracking and weekly load monitoring, the CoE aims to find the “sweet spot” for every bowler, from the contracted national players down to the Under-19 level. This data-driven, remote monitoring approach is evolving rapidly, allowing the board to track players even when they are not physically at the Bangalore facility. As the Indian team moves forward, the CoE remains committed to this professional, objective framework to ensure that the best talent is available for the challenges ahead.