Sunil Gavaskar Defends BCCI Centre of Excellence Amid India’s Growing Injury Concerns

Sunil Gavaskar has defended the BCCI‘s Centre of Excellence (CoE) amid growing concerns over the recurring injuries affecting several Indian cricketers.

With key players such as Jasprit Bumrah, Sai Sudharsan and Hardik Pandya dealing with injury issues, questions have been raised about India’s rehabilitation and fitness system. However, Gavaskar believes it would be unfair to place the blame entirely on the physiotherapists and support staff at the BCCI facility.

Gavaskar Defends BCCI Centre of Excellence

Gavaskar argued that most injuries occur while players are representing India rather than while they are undergoing rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence.

The former India captain believes the recurring nature of some injuries, particularly hamstring problems, points towards a need to examine the way players train and prepare for matches.

“While Bumrah has a knee injury, it’s seen that most Indian players suffer from hamstring injuries. Clearly, there is something wrong with their training and that is why these recurring hamstring injuries,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day.

Recurring Hamstring Injuries Raise Questions

India have dealt with several fitness setbacks in recent times, creating concerns about player workload and preparation.

Gavaskar questioned whether the focus on certain training practices is contributing to recurring injuries. He argued that the issue deserves a detailed assessment rather than simply blaming the CoE’s medical staff.

“These injuries happen when they are playing for India, but unfortunately the blame is put on the physios at the BCCI centre of excellence,” Gavaskar said.

Gavaskar Questions Bowling Restrictions in Training

The legendary batter also raised concerns about some of the workload-management practices used during training, particularly the restrictions placed on bowlers during net sessions.

Gavaskar questioned the effectiveness of biomechanics-based limitations that determine how many deliveries a bowler should bowl during practice.

“The so-called biomechanics, where a bowler can bowl only so many balls in the practice nets, is a questionable practice,” he added.

‘Match Fit’ Is More Important Than ‘Gym Fit’

Gavaskar also highlighted the balance between gym-based fitness and the physical demands of competitive cricket.

According to the former India captain, spending extended periods in the gym does not necessarily guarantee that a player will remain fit for the demands of international cricket.

“It is more important to be match fit than gym fit,” Gavaskar concluded, stressing that India’s fitness programme needs to be assessed in the context of actual match conditions.

Jasprit Bumrah Among India’s Injury Concerns

Jasprit Bumrah is one of the most prominent names currently dealing with an injury. His absence has been a major concern for India’s Test plans, given his importance as the team’s premier fast bowler.

Meanwhile, Sai Sudharsan and Hardik Pandya have also faced fitness setbacks, adding to the growing list of Indian players whose availability has been affected by injuries.

The repeated setbacks have made squad management increasingly difficult, particularly when India are involved in multiple formats and demanding international schedules.

Shubman Gill Has Also Raised Injury Concerns

India captain Shubman Gill has previously spoken about the impact of recurring injuries on team selection and combinations.

With players frequently moving in and out of the squad because of fitness issues, team management has sometimes been forced to make changes to its preferred combinations.

The situation has therefore become a broader concern for Indian Cricket rather than an issue limited to the rehabilitation process at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

Gavaskar Calls for a Closer Look at India’s Fitness System

Gavaskar’s comments do not dismiss the importance of rehabilitation. Instead, they highlight the need to examine the complete process, from training and workload management to match preparation and recovery.

For India, reducing recurring injuries will be particularly important as the team continues to compete across Test, ODI and T20I cricket. Maintaining the availability of key players could have a significant impact on India’s performances in major international tournaments and the World Test Championship cycle.

Gavaskar’s central message is clear: rather than assigning blame to the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Indian cricket needs to take a broader look at why injuries are repeatedly occurring and whether the current training methods are producing the desired results.