Archive · 9 Aug 2026
CoE not a rehab centre: VVS Laxman amid injury concerns
Cricket players sometimes get hurt while playing, and some very important Indian players are injured right now.
The people who run Indian cricket have a special training building in Bengaluru called the Centre of Excellence, where hurt players get better.
A famous former cricketer named VVS Laxman is in charge of that building.
Some people were worried that the building was not doing a good job helping injured players.
Mr. Laxman said the building is not just a place for healing injuries; it has a bigger job to do for Indian cricket.
He said injuries are a normal part of being a sportsperson, and the team watches players closely instead of blaming anyone.
The cricket board has been trying to hire a new sports science expert, but the best candidates changed their minds and did not take the job.
Injured players like Jasprit Bumrah will miss the upcoming matches against Sri Lanka.
Other experts at the centre are doing the extra work for now.
VVS Laxman said the BCCI's Centre of Excellence is not a rehab centre and has a bigger responsibility and mandate from the BCCI.
Laxman called injuries inevitable in a sportsperson's career and rejected the term 'blame,' saying monitoring systems are critical.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia met Laxman on Sunday to review the CoE's rehabilitation and injury-management programme.
The Head of Sports Science and Medicine post remains vacant since Nitin Patel left; five candidates were shortlisted but the leading Australian candidate withdrew over relocating to Bengaluru.
Injured players Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy are rehabilitating at the CoE and were ruled out of the Test series against Sri Lanka starting August 15.
- Who
- VVS Laxman, head of the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, along with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and BCCI president Mithun Manhas.
- What
- Laxman said the CoE is not a rehab centre, defended its injury-monitoring approach, and discussed the vacant Head of Sports Science and Medicine position.
- When
- Press conference on August 9, 2026; Saikia's review meeting with Laxman took place on Sunday.
- Where
- Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
- Why
- Amid growing concerns over the CoE's injury-management programme and a spate of injuries to Indian players.
Critics and growing concerns
BCCI and CoE management
Cause of recent injuries
Critics and growing concerns
Growing concern over the CoE's injury-management programme suggests the recent spate of player injuries reflects problems at the facility.
BCCI and CoE management
Laxman says injuries are inevitable in any player's career, rejects the use of 'blame,' and points to monitoring systems as the critical safeguard.
Unfilled Head of Sports Science and Medicine role
Critics and growing concerns
With several key players injured, questions arise about the long-vacant SSM position and its effect on injury prevention and management.
BCCI and CoE management
The BCCI says the role demands stature, experience and an understanding of Indian cricketers, and vertical heads have stepped up to cover the gap while candidates have withdrawn.
- Facility
- BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE), Bengaluru
- CoE head
- VVS Laxman
- BCCI secretary
- Devajit Saikia
- BCCI president
- Mithun Manhas
- Vacant position
- Head of Sports Science and Medicine (SSM)
- Injured players in rehab
- Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy
- White-ball specialists in rehab
- Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakravarthy, Prince Yadav
- Upcoming series
- Test series against Sri Lanka, starting August 15
