VVS Laxman defends CoE amid scrutiny as India's injury woes raise questions about BCCI's rehabilitation facility.

NEW DELHI: The increasing number of injuries among Indian cricketers has drawn attention to the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. VVS Laxman, the head of the CoE, has responded to the mounting criticism, emphasizing that injuries are an inevitable aspect of a cricketer's career and that the focus should be on player monitoring rather than assigning blame.

Recent weeks have seen heightened scrutiny of the CoE, particularly regarding its rehabilitation processes, fitness evaluations, and the communication between its sports science team and the national selection committee. Key players such as Jasprit Bumrah, Sai Sudharsan, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Washington Sundar are currently grappling with fitness issues, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the facility.

During a press conference in Bengaluru on Sunday, Laxman defended the CoE's broader mission, asserting that it should not be viewed solely as a rehabilitation center. "The CoE is not merely a rehab centre. There are bigger roles to play for it in helping cricketers achieve excellence," he stated. His remarks come as India prepares for a pivotal Test series against Sri Lanka, commencing on August 15, with the CoE's injury management protocols under close examination.

Laxman also refrained from blaming any individual or department for the injury issues, reiterating that injuries are a natural part of professional sports. "Injuries are part and parcel of any player's career. That's why a monitoring system is very critical. We don't use the term blame; that would mean looking for scapegoats," he explained.

Highlighting the CoE's commitment to continuous player assessment, Laxman pointed out that traditional fitness tests are not always feasible during series. To address this, the CoE has implemented the Bronco test, developed by Adrian, to facilitate ongoing fitness monitoring. He cited Bumrah and Sudharsan as examples of players whose fitness was evaluated through various parameters before their availability was confirmed.

Both players were initially included in the squad for the Sri Lanka Tests, contingent on their fitness. However, after thorough assessments, the CoE's medical team opted for caution. Bumrah's knee issues, stemming from an impact injury, have necessitated additional recovery time, while Sudharsan has been dealing with pain in his left big toe despite extensive net practice.

On Sunday, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia met with Laxman at the CoE to review the rehabilitation and injury management strategies. The BCCI is concerned not only about the number of unavailable players but also about the alignment of recovery timelines with the selectors' expectations. Laxman reiterated that the focus remains on continuous assessment and effective communication, rather than assigning blame for setbacks. As the injury list grows and a challenging Test season looms, the CoE's role in managing player health and performance will continue to be scrutinized.