VVS Laxman Highlights Broader Role of BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Injury Management

VVS Laxman, head of the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, emphasizes the facility's crucial role in injury management beyond rehabilitation. He highlights the need for effective monitoring systems and addresses challenges in filling the Head of Sports Science position. With key players like Jasprit Bumrah undergoing rehabilitation, the CoE is under scrutiny for its injury management strategies. As India prepares for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, the focus remains on enhancing player health and performance.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 9, 2026, 15:30 IST

Importance of Injury Monitoring in Cricket

VVS Laxman, the head of the Board of Control for Cricket in India's Centre of Excellence (CoE), emphasized that the facility's role extends beyond just rehabilitating injured athletes. He underscored the necessity of effective monitoring systems to prevent and manage injuries during a press conference held in Bengaluru.

Laxman acknowledged that injuries are an unavoidable aspect of an athlete's career and dismissed the idea of placing blame when players face setbacks. He stated, "The CoE is not merely a rehabilitation center; it carries a larger responsibility as mandated by the BCCI. Injuries are inherent to any player's journey, which is why a robust monitoring system is essential. We avoid using the term blame, as it leads to scapegoating."

Review of Rehabilitation Programs

In light of recent injury concerns, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia convened with Laxman on Sunday to assess the rehabilitation and injury management strategies at the CoE. Saikia was joined at the press conference by BCCI president Mithun Manhas and other senior officials.

Challenges in Filling Key Sports Science Position

Laxman also addressed the ongoing search for a Head of Sports Science and Medicine (SSM) at the CoE, noting the challenges the BCCI has encountered in securing a qualified candidate. He explained that the role demands not only expertise and experience but also a deep understanding of the needs of Indian cricketers.

"Since Nitin Patel's departure, we have struggled to find a suitable replacement. Although we had a leading candidate from Australia, he ultimately withdrew due to relocation issues," Laxman shared during the press conference. He mentioned that five candidates had been shortlisted, but the top choice backed out, stating he could not move to Bengaluru.

"This is not a consultancy position; we need someone who can engage in daily monitoring," Laxman added. In the interim, the vertical heads at the CoE have taken on additional responsibilities in the absence of a Head of SSM.

Current Rehabilitation of Key Players

These comments come amid rising concerns regarding the CoE's injury management program. Injured players such as Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy are currently undergoing rehabilitation at the facility and will miss the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, which begins on August 15.

Additionally, the CoE is managing the rehabilitation of several white-ball specialists, including Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakravarthy, and Prince Yadav.

As it stands, India is positioned fifth in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 standings, having achieved four victories and four losses across nine matches, resulting in a Points Percentage (PCT) of 48.150.