The BCCI’s injury management system is facing fresh questions, with communication gaps reportedly growing between different departments.
According to a report by The Times of India, the latest concern is a lack of coordination between the Indian men’s team’s sports science and medicine (SSM) staff and the team at the Centre of Excellence (CoE).
The reported differences have raised concerns about how player fitness, workload and rehabilitation are being managed. The issue comes at a time when several Indian players have struggled with recurring injuries, adding to the pressure on the support staff.
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VVS Laxman Remains The Main Link Between Two Teams
As per the report, VVS Laxman, who heads cricket at the CoE, is currently the only link between the two groups.
The report also claimed that India’s strength and conditioning coach, Adrian Le Roux, had suggested changes to workload management in June 2025. However, the CoE has reportedly been reluctant to move away from its existing methods.
Another concern is the vacant position of the CoE’s head of sports science and medicine. Nitin Patel resigned from the role in March 2025, but the position was advertised only last month, according to the report.
Tensions Between CoE And Selectors Also Reported
The latest concerns follow earlier reports of strained relations between the CoE and India’s men’s selection committee. The working relationship between the two sides was said to have suffered a major loss of trust.
Former chief selector Ajit Agarkar was also reportedly at odds with Laxman. According to earlier reports, BCCI officials were expecting a possible confrontation between the two during a meeting scheduled for September. However, Agarkar did not attend the meeting.
These reported differences have added to concerns about coordination between the people responsible for selecting players, monitoring their fitness and overseeing their recovery from injuries.
Recurring Injuries Add To India’s Concerns
The growing number of injuries has become a major concern for the Indian team management. Head coach Gautam Gambhir recently said it was unfair for Shubman Gill to have to deal with so many injuries within the squad.
The Times of India report stated that 32 leading men’s cricketers underwent rehabilitation at the CoE between April 2025 and March 2026. The group included 20 centrally contracted players and 12 others from the targeted and India A categories.
Most of the injuries were related to soft tissue, according to the report. Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Prasidh Krishna were among the players who had dealt with recurring injury issues.
The number of cases has put the spotlight on the systems used to monitor workloads, prevent injuries and manage players’ return to action.
CoE Budget Rises To Rs 127 Crore
The concerns come as the BCCI plans to increase spending on the Centre of Excellence.
According to the report, the CoE’s projected expenditure for the 2026-27 financial year has risen to Rs 127 crore, compared with Rs 92 crore in the previous year.
With spending set to increase and several players continuing to face fitness issues, the focus is likely to remain on whether better communication and coordination can improve India’s injury management system.