The National Cricket Academy or Centre of Excellence located in Bengaluru has recently found itself under intense scrutiny following a series of injuries sustained by key Indian cricketers. Amid ongoing discussions concerning the fitness status of players like Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan, alongside whispers of potential friction between the coaching staff and the facility, Board secretary Devajit Saikia visited the centre. Following this visit, Head of Cricket VVS Laxman addressed a press conference to clear the air. He firmly dismissed rumours of internal discord while sharing detailed insights into the mandate of the facility, selection protocols, vacant department roles, and newly introduced fitness metrics.
VVS Laxman clarified that the core responsibility of the Centre of Excellence extends far beyond merely treating injured players or managing their rehabilitation programmes. Its primary mission is to build and sustain a robust talent pipeline for Indian cricket, ensuring that a steady stream of skilled players remains available across all levels. The objective is to foster a seamless continuum of resources and fresh talent so that the national setup never faces a shortage of capable cricketers ready to step up when needed.
Directly addressing reports suggesting a breakdown in communication, he firmly stated that there is no blame game happening within the setup. He emphasised that Gautam Gambhir’s team management, the selection committee, and the Centre of Excellence operate in complete harmony with strong coordination. Everyone involved is focused on identifying the root causes of recurring issues rather than pointing fingers at one another, ensuring a united approach to player welfare.
Explaining how fitness statuses are communicated during selections by citing Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan as examples, he noted the significance of the asterisks appearing next to player names in media releases. This marker explicitly denotes that a selection is subject to fitness. Should a player's recovery pace fall behind schedule, that crucial update is immediately relayed to the selectors and the head coach so they can plan accordingly.
The briefing also touched upon the vacant position of Head of Sports Science and Medicine, which has remained open since Nitin Patel stepped down. Laxman revealed that two shortlisted specialists, including Andrew Leipus and another prominent figure, had to decline at the final hour due to personal and family reasons preventing them from relocating to Bengaluru. In the interim, various vertical heads are sharing these duties while the search for a permanent leader continues.
To maintain rigorous fitness standards during packed international calendars, Strength and Conditioning Coach Adrian le Roux has introduced the Bronco test. Since conducting the Yo-Yo test midway through an active series is not always practical, this alternative assessment allows the management to continuously monitor the physical conditioning and endurance levels of the athletes without disrupting their playing schedules.
This comprehensive media interaction effectively addressed many of the lingering questions surrounding player management and facility operations. While filling the sports science leadership vacancy remains an ongoing task, the implementation of structured evaluation tools like the Bronco test signals a proactive approach to keeping the nation's premier cricketers in peak physical condition.
