BCCI’s Center of Excellence (CoE) is under scrutiny as the board is unhappy with the frequent fitness concerns affecting the Indian men’s cricket team, which have often forced the side to take the field
without first-choice players. The spate of injuries to fast bowlers has been particularly alarming, with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Harshit Rana under scrutiny following the latest setbacks.
While Bumrah suffered an impact injury during the ODI series in England, Rana sustained a hamstring injury on his comeback after previously missing several months of competitive cricket due to a knee issue, for which he also underwent surgery.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has reportedly questioned Indian team physio Kamlesh Jain over the injuries and declining fitness standards.
A Times of India report claims that Rana was sent back to the CoE in Bengaluru from the England tour not because of an injury but due to severe cramps. Additionally, he was found to be ‘overweight’ by four kgs.
“The Indian team management flagged that he (Rana) was overweight by four kgs,” TOI quoted a BCCI official as saying. “The CoE should have been much more vigilant.”
“He has been now told by CoE staff that his weight can’t exceed 96 kgs. He is now 94 kgs and is expected to be cleared next week. But he was 97 kgs when he was cleared to be picked for the Indian team for the UK tour,” the source added.
Meanwhile, Bumrah, who was making his return after last playing in IPL 2026, suffered an impact injury that not only cut short his England tour but also ruled him out of the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. The selectors have named Jammu and Kashmir’s uncapped pacer Auqib Nabi as Bumrah’s replacement.
The Test series, which gets underway from August 15, is part of the ICC World Test Championship.
