BENGALURU: The
Addressing concerns about coordination among the CoE, team management, and selectors, Laxman dismissed the notion of blame, asserting that there is effective collaboration among all parties involved. He explained that the selection committee regularly requests fitness status reports, which are compiled and shared with the head coach and the committee chairperson. “There’s brilliant coordination between the CoE, the team management of both the men’s and women’s teams, and the selection committee,” he noted.
Injury Updates and Selection Process
Regarding the recent exclusions of
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia added that selection meetings occur weeks in advance, making it difficult to ascertain a player's exact fitness status at the time of selection. “We do not outrightly reject players based on the selection date. If a player recovers, they will be included,” he stated, highlighting the unpredictability of player fitness.
Challenges in Filling Key Positions
The CoE is also in search of a new head for
Efforts to recruit a qualified candidate have faced obstacles, particularly due to the requirement for the position to be based in Bengaluru. Laxman noted that several promising candidates have declined the role for various reasons, including relocation issues. “It’s crucial to find someone with the right knowledge and understanding of Indian cricketers,” he remarked, acknowledging the contributions of the current staff in the meantime.
Additionally, the CoE's picturesque grounds are marred by the restriction of closed-door matches, as the facility is designated solely for training. BCCI secretary Saikia mentioned that while government regulations prevent crowd attendance, they have increased the number of matches broadcast live to engage fans. He also indicated a willingness to relocate the Duleep Trophy final to a venue that allows spectators, stating, “We still have time. We'll look into that aspect.”
