Cricket

Jay Shah, the dynamic BCCI secretary, is spearheading a transformative era for Indian cricket. With a vision to elevate the sport to unprecedented heights, he has unveiled ambitious plans that will revolutionize the cricketing landscape.Shah's most significant announcement is the establishment of a state-of-the-art National Cricket Academy (NCA) on the outskirts of Bengaluru. This world-class facility will not only cater to the needs of Indian cricketers but also be accessible to Olympic athletes like Neeraj Chopra. The NCA will serve as a hub for player development, injury rehabilitation, and cutting-edge sports science research.In addition to the NCA, Shah has also announced plans for a cricket stadium in Varanasi and NCA facilities in six North-Eastern states and Jammu. These initiatives aim to promote cricket in underrepresented regions and provide equal opportunities for aspiring cricketers.Regarding the upcoming Champions Trophy, Shah emphasized that the BCCI will cross the bridge when it comes to India's participation in Pakistan. He expressed confidence in hosting the Bangladesh series despite the recent political turmoil in the neighboring country.Shah also addressed concerns about the impact player rule in the IPL. While acknowledging its potential to limit the development of all-rounders, he emphasized the need to consider the interests of broadcasters and the overall growth of the game.On the topic of player retentions and mega auctions, Shah stated that the BCCI will make a decision based on the majority view of franchise owners. He acknowledged the desire for consistency among settled teams but also recognized the benefits of shuffling things up to foster competition.Shah's vision extends beyond the men's game. He is committed to the development of women's cricket, highlighting the success of the Women's Premier League. He expressed optimism about expanding the league in the future and exploring the possibility of a Test Championship for women.To address the financial challenges faced by weaker cricket boards, Shah proposed the creation of a dedicated fund for touring fees in Test cricket. He believes that this will encourage teams to participate in the longest format of the game.Shah also discussed the appointment of Morne Morkel as India's bowling coach and the need for a 15-day gap between the end of the IPL and the WTC final to ensure adequate preparation.In conclusion, Jay Shah's bold initiatives are poised to transform Indian cricket. His focus on infrastructure development, player welfare, and the promotion of the sport in all corners of the country will undoubtedly elevate India's cricketing prowess to new heights.

The National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, a pivotal institution in Indian cricket, is poised for significant changes, mirroring the recent shake-ups in the senior team. According to reports, VVS Laxman, the current NCA head, is contemplating stepping down from his role.Laxman, a former Indian batting legend, took over the NCA reins in November 2021, succeeding Rahul Dravid. The NCA serves as a hub for age-group camps under renowned coaches and provides rehabilitation facilities for injured senior team members.However, Laxman is reportedly reluctant to continue in his position and has attracted interest from the Lucknow Super Giants of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for their head coach role. His contract with the NCA expires in August, and he is not seeking a renewal.Sources suggest that Vikram Rathour, the former Indian batting coach, is the frontrunner to succeed Laxman. Rathour was part of the support staff for India's victorious 2024 T20 World Cup campaign."It is very likely that you may see Rathour heading NCA. For now, a call on VVS Laxman's contract renewal is pending, but the conversation from his side is not positive," a source told Sports Tak."Rathour might be asked to take charge at NCA. BCCI secretary (Jay Shah) after the ICC meeting is likely to have a word with VVS to understand his side," the source added.Laxman recently lauded Rahul Dravid's leadership in India's T20 World Cup triumph. "When he (Dravid) lifted the World Cup, I thought it was a great gesture by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to hand over that trophy, and the way he celebrated lifting that trophy showed how much it meant to each one of them. The amount of hard work they put in. The celebration told the bigger story behind this victory," Laxman said in a video posted by the BCCI.The NCA's future direction remains uncertain, with Laxman's departure potentially signaling a new era for the institution. Rathour, if appointed, would bring a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to the role.

The Indian cricket team's recent T20 World Cup victory marked a significant shift in the approach to player fitness and injury prevention. In the past, standard fitness tests were used as a selection criterion, but the National Cricket Academy (NCA) has now adopted a more comprehensive approach that prioritizes injury prevention and performance optimization.The NCA has developed three proformas: National Fitness Testing Criteria (NFTC), Performance Testing Battery, and Prevention Testing Battery. NFTC, conducted every 12-16 weeks, includes tests like sprint tests, standing long jump, and yo-yo tests. Performance Testing Battery, conducted every six weeks, assesses specific skills related to the player's role. Prevention Testing Battery, conducted every two weeks, focuses on identifying potential injury risks through tests like overhead squats and glute bridge holds.Notably, the yo-yo test, once a key selection criterion, is now rarely used for centrally contracted players. Instead, the focus has shifted to injury prevention and performance tests. The NCA's team of physios and strength and conditioning coaches has played a crucial role in keeping players fit and available for selection.The Prevention Testing Battery has become particularly important. It helps identify players at risk of injury, allowing the medical team to intervene early and prevent potential setbacks. GPS vests and whoop bands provide additional data on running-bowling metrics and off-field activities like sleep and recovery.In February 2022, head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma devised a blueprint for player rotation and fitness management. They identified a pool of players and ensured they were available and in optimal shape for major tournaments. This approach allowed the team to rest players when necessary and avoid injuries.Despite injuries to key players like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, the team management stuck to their plan of protecting and preparing players. This strategy ultimately paid off, with India lifting the T20 World Cup trophy in Barbados.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has extended a lifeline to Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, who were previously excluded from the central contracts list for missing Ranji Trophy matches. The duo has been included in the National Cricket Academy's (NCA) High Performance Monitoring Programme for the 2024-25 domestic cricket season.This move signals that the BCCI and national selection committee are not holding grudges against Iyer and Kishan. If they demonstrate a positive attitude towards domestic cricket and perform well for their respective state teams, they could regain their central contracts and be recalled to the Indian team.Mumbai allrounder Musheer Khan, who impressed in the Under-19 World Cup and played a key role in Mumbai's Ranji Trophy triumph, has also been included in the NCA program. The list primarily consists of players who are not centrally contracted but are on the cusp of breaking into the Indian team.The selected players are expected to undergo a month-long camp at the new NCA facility near Bengaluru under the guidance of chairman VVS Laxman. The camp will focus on enhancing their skills and preparing them for higher levels of competition.Other notable players included in the NCA program are pacers Mayank Yadav, Umran Malik, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Sen, Harshit Rana, Khaleel Ahmed, and Tushar Deshpande. Batsmen Riyan Parag, Ashutosh Sharma, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Kishore, and Prithvi Shaw are also part of the group. Mumbai's spin allrounders Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian have also been selected.The national selectors have also chosen a set of players for the under-23 camp, which includes those who have yet to feature in domestic cricket. This camp will provide opportunities for young players to showcase their talent and potentially earn a place in the NCA program in the future.