# Injuries not a concern, says Laxman amid BCCI CoE criticism

2026-08-09T14:28:02+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

VVS Laxman, head of the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE), has defended the facility against criticism after Jasprit Bumrah and B. Sai Sudharsan were ruled out of the Sri Lanka Test series due to injuries. Laxman insisted there is 'brilliant' coordination between the CoE, team management, and sports science staff, and said injuries are part of elite sport. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia added that players are often picked conditionally because 'it is a human body, not a machine'. However, a BCCI CoE source told ANI that players routinely hide injuries during the IPL due to franchise and financial pressures, making rehabilitation harder. The CoE has been without a permanent Head of Sports Science since Nitin Patel left in March 2025. Laxman said top candidates have backed out, often citing an inability to relocate to Bengaluru. Senior physio Dhananjay Kaushik is currently managing the role.

## Coverage

- sportstar.thehindu.com <https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/vvs-laxman-coe-centre-of-excellence-players-injury-concern-indian-team/article71324583.ece>
- rediff.com <https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/players-play-through-injuries-in-ipl-due-to-franchise-pressure-bcci-source/20260809.htm>
- rediff.com <https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/bcci-coe-still-seeking-head-of-sports-science-amid-injury-concerns-says-v-v-s-laxman/20260809.htm>
- rediff.com <https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/bccis-coe-not-a-rehab-centre-v-v-s-laxman-amid-team-indias-growing-injury-concerns/20260809.htm>
- cricinfo.com <https://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1549290.html?ex_cid=OTC-RSS>
- thehindu.com <https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/there-is-brilliant-coordination-between-coe-and-indian-team-management-insists-laxman/article71324823.ece>

Tags: BCCI CoE, Indian cricket, injury crisis, recruitment, sports science, VVS Laxman
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