Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has confirmed that VVS Laxman will attend all senior selection committee meetings from now on, in a move aimed at improving communication between the selectors and the Centre of Excellence (CoE).
Laxman, who heads the CoE, attended the T20I and India A selection meeting in Guwahati. Saikia said the former India batter will now be part of every senior selection meeting.
advertisement
“VVS Laxman will henceforth attend all senior selection committee meetings to ensure there is no miscommunication between selectors and the COE,” Saikia told PTI on Tuesday.
The decision was taken at the BCCI’s review meeting in Mumbai and comes against the backdrop of concerns over communication between the CoE and the senior selection committee, particularly when it comes to the fitness and rehabilitation of injured players.
There had been questions over the lack of clarity on injury timelines, with selectors needing regular updates before making decisions on squad selection.
“This was decided at the review meeting in Mumbai that as head of cricket, COE, Laxman should attend all meetings going forward. The move is intended to ensure there is no miscommunication and selectors get accurate information to make right decisions,” Saikia said.
The development is interesting in the context of comments made by India captain Shubman Gill in August, when he denied that there was a communication gap between the team management and the CoE.
Gill had said the team was in constant touch with the Bengaluru-based facility and was monitoring the progress of injured players.
“There is a constant communication with them. Unfortunately Sai Sudharsan did not improve as much as we liked as we can’t take risks in Tests. But we are confident of our 15,” Gill had said.
The BCCI’s decision to have Laxman in every senior selection meeting will now give selectors a direct line to the CoE when they discuss player availability and fitness.
India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup have also been affected by injuries. After the third ODI against the West Indies, Gill admitted that the repeated absence of players had been frustrating and that India needed to settle on their preferred combination with the World Cup less than a year away.
“I would say it’s been unfortunate, you know, with the injuries and with the scheduling, with the other matches being around. It’s been a little bit unfortunate that we have not been able to play the bowling lineup that we would like to,” Gill had told reporters.
With Laxman set to attend all senior selection meetings, the BCCI is looking to ensure that selectors have the latest information on the fitness and rehabilitation of players before making selection calls.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
