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In Indian cricket, the injury crisis is beginning to seriously affect the preparation of the Indian squad. Players are getting injured one after another and are being sent to the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bangalore for rehabilitation. This directly impacts squad selection, team composition, and preparation for upcoming series.

A recent example is the difficulties India faced before the Test series against Sri Lanka. Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudarshan were initially included in the main Test squad, but both were ruled out of the series due to injuries. Bumrah could not recover in time from a knee injury sustained during a one-day tour against England, while Sudarshan suffered an injury during the Rad-ball series against India-A in Sri Lanka last month.

The list of injured players is not limited to this. Harshit Rana is battling hamstring issues, Nitish Kumar Reddy has also been sidelined due to a hamstring injury, and Washington Sundar is suffering from a muscle injury (quadriceps). Akash Dip is also recovering from a stress fracture in his lower back and has been out of the team for a long time.

Thus, the team, which was supposed to prepare for a long test season with its key players, is facing questions of fitness and availability.

Amid the rising number of injuries, a source associated with the BCCI CoE expressed serious concern about the pressure placed on players during the IPL. According to the source, the workload in cricket is constantly increasing, and the body has its limits. It is difficult to determine the recovery timelines after overexertion and stress-related injuries.

Nevertheless, due to fundraising and financial pressure in the IPL, players continue to play despite injuries. The problem is that after the tournament ends, the same players arrive at the CoE, where physiotherapists and the medical team work on their recovery.

The source noted that the CoE's physiotherapy team prioritizes player safety, but this situation has created difficulties for coaches, captains, and selectors regarding player availability. That is, having a player in the IPL is important for the franchise, but if a player plays while injured, it can affect the Indian team's plans later.

The pressure of injuries is not limited to the Test team. The CoE is currently also dealing with many players in limited-overs formats. Hardik Pandya is at the CoE due to a quadriceps issue, Varun Chakravarthy is there because of a hamstring injury, and Prince Yadav is also suffering from hamstring problems. This demonstrates that the circle of injuries has spread across various formats and players.

For this reason, BCCI Secretary Devdutt Saxya recently visited the CoE in Bangalore. He reviewed the current rehabilitation program and met with the CoE head, Vivs Laxman.

Against the backdrop of growing criticism, Vivs Laxman clearly stated that the CoE's responsibility is not limited only to treating injured players. He emphasized that the scope of the CoE's activities is much broader, and the monitoring system is crucial for preventing and managing player injuries. Laxman also noted that injuries are part of any player's career, and no one should be unduly punished for it.

His emphasis was on the fact that injury prevention and constant player monitoring are more important than treatment after an injury occurs.

The CoE's problems are not limited to player injuries. The position of Head of Sports Science and Medicine has also remained vacant for a long time. After Nitin Patel's departure in early 2025, the BCCI is looking for a suitable candidate for this role. According to Laxman, this position requires more than just experience and prestige; the candidate must understand Indian cricketers and their specific needs.

Laxman reported that negotiations for the appointment of Andrew Lips are almost complete, but he decided to decline due to family circumstances.

The growing number of injured players in the CoE points to a broader issue. If players play in long and intense tournaments like the IPL despite injuries, and then end up in the CoE for rehabilitation, it naturally affects their availability in international cricket.

The problem for the Indian team is not just about how many days it will take for a player to recover. The real challenge is which player will be available in which series, who needs rest, and what combination the team will field. From the absence of Bumrah and Sudarshan to the presence of Hardik, Varun, and other players in the CoE—this long list of injuries constantly affects the preparation of the Indian team. Now, the BCCI faces an obvious task: how to manage the growing workload of players, how to balance the pressure of the IPL and international cricket, and how to prevent injuries before they reach the rehabilitation stage.

The Center of Excellence (CoE) of the BCCI came under intense scrutiny due to the constant injuries sustained by Indian players. The physical condition of stars such as Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Washington Sundar has heightened concerns surrounding the Indian team.

The head of the CoE, VVS Lakshman, stated that this center, located in Bangalore, is not solely intended for the rehabilitation of injured athletes. During a press conference in Bangalore on Sunday (August 9), he emphasized that the role of the CoE is much broader than mere rehabilitation, as it assists players in achieving the highest level of mastery.

The main issue in Indian cricket currently revolves around the reasons for frequent injuries. Lakshman declined to place responsibility for this on any specific person or department. He noted that injuries are a natural part of a professional athlete's career, making the system of continuous monitoring critically important. Lakshman added: 'We do not use the word 'blame' because we would then be looking for a scapegoat.'

The Indian team is scheduled to play a two-match test series against Sri Lanka starting August 15, but injuries have created serious problems for the team management. The biggest blow has been Jasprit Bumrah's inability to participate in matches. Initially, selectors hoped he could feature in at least one Test, but due to fluid retention issues following his knee injury, his return will take longer.

Sai Sudarshan was also included in the starting lineup based on his physical fitness. He trained extensively on the field, but the risk was not taken due to pain in his left big toe.

The most pressing questions regarding the CoE arose in connection with Harshit Rana's situation. The former fast bowler was sidelined for about four months due to hamstring issues. However, just two weeks after his return, he suffered another hamstring injury. This sparked debate over whether all necessary return-to-play protocols were followed before allowing Harshit back on the field. His recurrence of injury intensified the discussion about player rehabilitation and certification processes.

Nitish Kumar Reddy's case is different. He was working to increase his bowling speed by approximately 7-8 kilometers per hour. This increased load on his bowling affected his hamstrings and quadriceps. This raises the question of how the load increase during players' skill development is monitored.

The problem is not limited only to the number of injuries. The consistency between the medical team, the CoE sports science team, and the National Selection Committee regarding player return timelines is also a subject of discussion. It was during these discussions that Lakshman held a virtual meeting with other senior CoE staff and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, where rehabilitation and the potential centralized contract return of injured players were discussed.

Since the beginning of 2025, the position of Head of Sports Science at the CoE has remained vacant following the departure of Nitin Patel. Dhanjai Kaushik is currently fulfilling this role. The board's concern is not only the number of injured players but also the accuracy of the timelines provided by selectors for their return.

The physical condition of star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is causing concern among the Indian team. Bumrah was unable to fully recover from an injury during the tour in England, which forced him to miss a two-match test series against Sri Lanka. Akib Nabi, a fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir, was included in the Indian squad for the series starting on August 15th in his place.

Former all-rounder of India, Karun Gavaskar, offered significant advice to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the team management regarding Bumrah. Gavaskar believes that instead of fielding Bumrah too early despite frequent injuries, he should be given a long break for complete recovery.

Karun Gavaskar, who was part of the Indian team in two World Cups, stated in a mid-day conversation that Bumrah should take a break of five to six months, or even a full year if necessary. He emphasized that he should not be brought back into play until he reaches one hundred percent readiness. Gavaskar noted that Bumrah often plays in major tournaments or series without being completely healthy, and then his body breaks down due to increased load.

He added that a player who is only 50-60 percent fit should not be included in the squad at all. Otherwise, he might get injured mid-tournament, disrupting the overall balance of the team. In Gavaskar's opinion, this is not beneficial for either the player or the country.

The 75-year-old former cricketer believes that under the current circumstances, Bumrah's participation in all three formats of the game is not advisable. He advised the team management to focus Bumrah's usage primarily on Test matches, as this is the most important format for India. Gavaskar argues that if Bumrah constantly plays in the IPL (Indian Premier League), T20 International, and ODI, his body will not be able to sustain such a high workload for long.

Karun Gavaskar also called for the return of experienced fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the squad. He mentioned that both these bowlers regularly play in the IPL in recent seasons and are in good form. Gavaskar explained that Shami and Bhuvneshwar continue to play cricket and have avoided injuries. He urged selectors to utilize their experience.

According to Karun Gavaskar, the return of Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar would significantly reduce the pressure on Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah. He suggested rotating between Shami and Siraj in Tests, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar's experience could be useful to the team in T20.

In recent years, Jasprit Bumrah has suffered multiple injuries, and his workload management has been constantly questioned. Following his exclusion from the Test series against Sri Lanka, the BCCI's fitness system and the activities of the Centre of Excellence (CoE) have also come under scrutiny. In this situation, Karun Gavaskar's advice is seen as an important signal to the Indian team management. It remains to be seen whether the board of directors will make any substantial changes to the workload management for Bumrah's career extension.