VVS Laxman addressed the media on Sunday, August 9, 2026. The BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) head spoke about the rehabilitation of injured Indian players in Bengaluru.
Laxman explained the strict process followed before players can return to competitive cricket. He said injured players must complete two Return To Play matches. They must also meet specific fitness standards before being cleared for national or domestic cricket.
Questions were also raised about reports of injured players using personal fitness trainers during rehabilitation. Laxman said the BCCI has detailed systems to monitor every player’s recovery.
“This is news to me, you know. And I think there is a lot of news which is happening, but as I told you, the way we do it is that the Indian team S&C is responsible for keeping track of the contracted players,” Laxman said in a press conference.
BCCI tracks player recovery through AMS and GPS
Laxman said the CoE follows a data-based system to track injured players. Every training and rehabilitation session is recorded on the Athlete Management System (AMS).
GPS tracking is also used to monitor player activity. This allows the BCCI’s medical and fitness teams to keep a close watch on rehabilitation work.
“The S&Cs at the COE are responsible for keeping track of the targeted and the age-group players. Everything is there on the AMS. Every session of the player is there on the AMS and that is why we use the GPS where wherever the player is doing, whatever he is doing is documented out there,” Laxman said.
Laxman also defended the quality of the BCCI’s strength and conditioning staff. He praised the experience of the professionals working with India’s men’s and women’s teams.
“If you see the men’s and women’s team trainers, now Adrian is a world-class trainer. In 2002, I remember he was our first foreign fitness trainer and the quality of him has got no questions about his qualities,” Laxman said.
“So I am sure he knows how to manage the contracted players. And now Nick, who recently joined the Indian women’s team, is again a very experienced S&C professional,” he added.
The CoE is also preparing to host the Duleep Trophy from August 23, 2026.
