BCCI's Centre of Excellence Faces Scrutiny Over 'Breakdown in Communication' on Injury Management

The BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru is under fresh scrutiny following reports highlighting a significant communication gap between Team India's Sports Science and Medicine (SSM) unit and the CoE's own SSM team. A PTI report indicates a glaring disconnect between the CoE's sports science and medical staff and the senior national men's selection committee, raising pressing concerns for Indian cricket. According to an NDTV Sports quote from the report, cricket head VVS Laxman is cited as the sole medium of communication between the two SSM units.

A Times of India report, referencing the CoE's annual report, revealed that 32 top men's team players underwent rehabilitation for injuries at the facility between April 2025 and March 2026. This group included 20 BCCI centrally contracted players and 12 from a new targeted category, which encompasses India A cricketers. The high volume of rehabilitation cases intensifies questions about the coordination of injury management across the system.

The reported disconnect is largely attributed to a divergence in approach between the travelling support staff and the CoE's in-house team. Team India strength and conditioning (S&C) coach Adrian Le Roux suggested tweaks to workload-management routines in June 2025, but the CoE has reportedly been reluctant to deviate from its established mechanisms. This difference in methodology has made structured coordination between the two units more difficult, further emphasizing the fragility of the current arrangement where Laxman acts as the only communication channel.

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has publicly called for greater accountability in player injury management. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin suggested the time has come to create separate teams for Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, allowing for some cross-pollination of players. He also pointed to the specific case of Varun Chakravarthy, stating, "I know that Varun Chakravarthy was at the NCA for the last three to four months. We were asking for permission for the TNPL, and they didn't release him. He should have returned in a month, but he was there for two to three months," illustrating his concern over prolonged rehabilitation periods.

What to watch: The BCCI's response to these reports and any potential reforms in injury management protocols at the CoE.

Editor's note: A comprehensive summary that utilizes all key facts and quotes from the source, accurately reflecting the communication issues at the BCCI's CoE.