India’s growing injury concerns have put the spotlight on the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, with a few experienced players set to miss the upcoming two-match Test series in Sri Lanka. VVS Laxman, who heads cricket operations at the Centre of Excellence, has pushed back against the reports that communication between the three key stakeholders has broken down. The concerns have gained momentum over the past few days with India entering the Sri Lanka Tests without Jasprit Bumrah and Sri Sudharsan, who have been ruled out of the series. Washington Sundar, meanwhile, is unavailable for the opening Test in Galle, scheduled to begin on August 15.
“CoE isn’t just a rehab centre. There are bigger roles to play for it in helping players achieve excellence. Injuries are part and parcel of any player’s career. That is why a monitoring system is very critical," Laxman said at the press conference on Sunday.
Laxman also underlined that there is good coordination between the managements of both teams, dismissing the reports of communication hindrance.
“I think we don't like to use the word 'blame', because when you are using 'blame', then you are finding someone as a scapegoat. I don't know how you all feel, and you start blaming because of this and that. But there is a brilliant coordination between the COE, between the team management of both the teams, and the SSM (Sports Science and Medicine) staff of both the teams, and the selection committee,” said Laxman.
“When we send a fitness status report, the process is that the selector reaches out to the COE asking for the fitness status report. We collect the current fitness status and send a fitness status report to the selection committee chairman or chairperson in the women's selection committee, with a copy to the head coach of both the teams and the BCCI,” said Laxman.
“Now, Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan, there is always an asterisk. When the media release comes from the BCCI, an asterisk is attached to a player selection. And what does that asterisk mean? It means 'subject to fitness'. So Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan were going to be picked, subject to fitness clearance. You assess them, move them from one stage to the next, and, if the progression is slow, you communicate to the selection committee chairman and the head coach. This is happening seamlessly. They understand that they are not yet ready to participate in an international series. It is always player-centric and team-centric,” Laxman stated.