New Rule Ensures Full Fitness Data in India’s Men’s Team Selection, BCCI Announces

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has formalised a rule that VVS Lakshman, head of the Centre of Excellence, must be present at every senior men’s national team selection meeting. The decision, taken after a thorough review in Mumbai last month, aims to guarantee that selectors receive precise fitness and injury information.

Lakshman was seen at the selection meeting in Guwahati’s ACA Stadium on Tuesday, sitting with senior selectors Pragyana Ojha, SS Das, Ajay Ratra and RP Singh. The panel was assembling squads for a five‑match T20I series and a three‑match Red‑Ball ‘A’ series against New Zealand sides.

According to BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia, Lakshman's role is to bridge any information gap between the selection panel and the CoE. As the CoE’s head, he has direct access to the latest medical reports and can clarify players’ readiness before a name is announced.

Recent episodes where players were selected and later dropped due to undisclosed fitness issues prompted the board to act. Saikia clarified that the measure is not just a procedural formality but a step toward greater transparency and better decision‑making.

The rule currently applies only to the senior men’s team. Officials have not yet indicated whether the senior women’s selection committee will adopt a similar protocol, even as injury concerns have affected the women’s squad in recent tournaments.