BCCI Secretary to Address Injury Concerns in Indian Cricket Team

The BCCI is taking proactive steps to address the increasing number of injuries plaguing the Indian cricket team. Secretary Devajit Saikia will meet with Head of Cricket VVS Laxman to review the rehabilitation management program at the Centre of Excellence. Key players like Jasprit Bumrah and B Sai Sudharsan are currently sidelined, raising concerns about the team's fitness and performance. With ongoing issues regarding injury management timelines and player readiness, this meeting aims to ensure that the team can return to full strength. Stay tuned for updates on this critical situation in Indian cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 8, 2026, 23:29 IST

BCCI's Response to Rising Injuries

In light of the recent surge in injuries affecting the Indian cricket team, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia is set to meet with Head of Cricket VVS Laxman this Sunday. The purpose of this meeting is to evaluate the rehabilitation management program at the Centre of Excellence (COE).

The team will be without key players such as Jasprit Bumrah (knee swelling), B Sai Sudharsan (left foot big toe), Harshit Rana (hamstring), Nitish Kumar Reddy (hamstring), and Washington Sundar (quadriceps) due to various injuries.

Akash Deep has been sidelined for an extended period due to a lower back stress fracture sustained during Bengal's Ranji Trophy semi-final loss.

Additionally, white-ball specialists Hardik Pandya (quadriceps), Varun Chakravarthy (hamstring), and Prince Yadav (hamstring) are currently at the COE, where the Sports Science team is under significant pressure following the resignation of Nitin Patel in early 2025. The immediate goal is to facilitate the return of these players to the field.

Both Sudharsan and Bumrah were initially included in the squad pending fitness assessments, but the COE experts opted for caution, considering the long-term implications.

According to a source within the BCCI, 'Yes, secretary Saikia will be in Bengaluru to assess the situation alongside VVS Laxman. A meeting is planned between the two. It remains uncertain whether national team head coach Gautam Gambhir or chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar will participate online. It would be intriguing if both Saikia and Laxman could address some media inquiries given the numerous speculations.'

There are ongoing concerns regarding the alignment between the COE and the current selection committee regarding injury management timelines, particularly with some players being released before fully meeting recovery criteria.

The selection committee has expressed dissatisfaction over Harshit Rana arriving in England noticeably overweight.

Initially, the selection committee was led to believe that Bumrah and Sudharsan would be available for at least one of the two Test matches. However, it was later revealed that Bumrah is experiencing water retention in his knee following an impact injury, necessitating additional recovery time.

As for Sudharsan, despite batting for 75 minutes daily, he continues to experience pain in his big toe.

Nitish Reddy attempted to enhance his bowling speed by 7 to 8 km/h, which has adversely affected his hamstring and quadriceps.