BCCI takes ACTION! Adopt new selection policy amid fitness concerns over Indian players - Reports
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
Quite a few Indian players have got injured in last few months.
Player fitness has become a massive concern in Indian cricket in recent times, and hence it has increased the importance of fitness updates before selection calls are made in modern-day cricket. With international cricket demanding greater workload management, the job is now tougher for selectors.
As India continues to build their squad for a busy international calendar, the management will have to deal with several injury-related setbacks. At some point during recent events, selected players were ruled out again following their return from injury. Hence, the CoE and the BCCI have considered adopting a new rule.
BCCI wants ‘200 per cent’ assurance on Indian player fitness
Catch Every Update, Anytime, Anywhere
According to a Cricbuzz report, the BCCI has altered its approach to selecting players whose fitness remains uncertain. The board now reportedly wants 200 per cent confidence in a player’s availability before allowing him to be named in the India squad for a series or a tournament. Speaking to Cricbuzz, a source said:
“Not just 100 per cent, but they want to be 200 per cent confident about a player’s availability before releasing him.”
This change comes after criticism faced by them surrounding the poor handling of injuries at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE). Players like Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah and Nitish Kumar Reddy have all been part of the discussions around their availability despite being named in the squad.
CoE head VVS Laxman had earlier explained that the board has kept transparency in its conduct, and it totally depends on the communication between the player and the board.
“They (players) understand that they’re not yet ready to participate in the national series. It’s always player-centric and team-centric. So that communication is happening seamlessly. I think what the BCCI has done is that there’s transparency in all the fitness reports and also in the selection.”
Laxman also explained why players can be named in the squad despite fitness concerns, as he reasoned that under such circumstances, the board is aware of players who could replace those players if they fail to pass their final fitness Test.
The squad for the Afghanistan series showed an indication of the approach being adopted when players are not completely fit. Hardik Pandya was not named in the squad after certain injury concerns were reported surrounding the veteran all-rounder.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia addressed the use of fitness conditions for players undergoing rehabilitation. He mentioned that the squads are announced three to four weeks prior to the series, and players might be picked if they recover during that period; hence, they do not reject him immediately.
“So that is precisely why we do not outrightly reject him because on the date of selection, we are rejecting him because on that day he is not fit. But, by the time it is effectively required for travel or to play the match, by that time he may be totally fit.”
With this new policy being adopted and a more cautious approach from the BCCI, it seems clear that the CoE will no longer take chances with the players if they are not completely fit.
Is Jasprit Bumrah’s availability confirmed by the CoE for the Afghanistan T20Is?
No, Jasprit Bumrah’s availability is not yet confirmed, though he has been named in the squad for the three-match T20I series.
When will Hardik Pandya make his international comeback?
Hardik Pandya’s international comeback is currently delayed due to a fresh leg niggle, and no reports have validated his next possible return date.
For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.