New Delhi: Injury management of key players heading into a crucial all-format tour of New Zealand and the broader roadmap for next year’s ODI World Cup will be the key points of discussion at a BCCI review meeting featuring head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar in Mumbai on Thursday.
The June-July debacle in the UK is expected to be discussed at length but it is also understood that stakeholders, including BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, want to look ahead.
Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman is also expected to join the meeting. The tour of New Zealand is scheduled in October-November.
India toured Ireland and England for 10 white-ball matches comprising seven T20Is and three ODIs. Of these, they won just one – an ODI against England, while suffering a historic 2-0 T20I series whitewash in Ireland before crumbling to a 0-4 defeat to England.
The T20I defeats came months after India retained the World Cup title at home.
India though started their ODI leg of the tour on a positive note with a six-wicket win before suffering back-to-back losses for another series defeat. With the team now starting to gear up for the 2027 ODI World Cup, the board reportedly wants to take stock of the preparations.
Injury Management
The CoE has come under scrutiny with India players consistently dealing with fitness concerns that have often deprived the team of its first-choice players. Harshit Rana made a comeback after five months recovering from a knee injury during the England tour, only to be sidelined again by a fresh issue.
Hardik Pandya’s absence from competitive cricket since this year’s IPL remains a concern as he will be key to India’s plans for the ODI World Cup. He was expected to be picked for the upcoming Afghanistan T20Is but reportedly suffered a late niggle that has delayed his return.
As per a report, there seems to be a communication gap between CoE and the selection committee. As per Indian Express, the panel, led by Agarkar, wasn’t aware of Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness for the tour.
