The number of injured players in Indian cricket is increasing. This has raised questions about the recovery of players at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Amid criticism over the rehabilitation process of players, fitness assessment and coordination between the sports science team and the national selection committee, BCCI Centre of Excellence chief VVS Laxman held a press conference with board secretary Devjit Saikia. The CoE is not limited to rehabilitating injured players, but also aims to help cricketers improve and perform at their best.
Bronco test instead of Yo-Yo?
V. V. S Laxman explained that the Bronco test, developed by Adrian, helps in continuously monitoring the fitness of players even during the series. Laxman said, ‘When a player is playing in a series, a Yo-Yo test cannot be conducted. Therefore, the Bronco Test developed by Adrian has been introduced to continuously monitor fitness. The aim of this system is to monitor the fitness status of the players without putting extra pressure on them. This helps the team management to understand the level of preparation of the players for the match.’
COE is not just a rehab centre
During a press conference in Bengaluru, Laxman said that the Centre of Excellence should not be seen as just a centre for the treatment and recovery process of injured players. ‘COE is not just a rehab centre. It plays a very big role in helping cricketers perform at their best. This organisation works on many things related to the fitness and performance of the players.’
Special focus on the fitness of Bumrah and Sai Sudarshan
Laxman said, ‘Jasprit Bumrah and B. Sai Sudarshan were specially tested on the basis of fitness. Both the players are tested on different parameters of fitness. We check them at multiple levels before allowing them to play.’
Laxman also said, ‘There is a constant dialogue between the CoE and the team management regarding the fitness and recovery process of the players. This system allows for a phased fitness assessment for players returning from injury. The aim is to ensure that no player takes the field without full fitness.’
Refusing to blame anyone for injuries
In the wake of the increasing number of injuries to Indian players, Laxman refused to blame any individual or department. He said, ‘Injuries are a part of the career of professional cricketers and therefore, it is very important to keep a constant eye on the players. We do not use the word ‘fault’ because by doing so we would be trying to make someone a scapegoat.’