August 10, 2026 at 06:05 AM 2 min readsportsdeveloping
VVS Laxman Applauds Virat Kohli While Defending BCCI Centre of Excellence
VVS Laxman Praises Virat Kohli:
Board of Control for Cricket in India Centre of Excellence Head VVS Laxman lauded veteran batter Virat Kohli as an exemplary professional during a press conference in Bengaluru on Sunday, August 9, 2026. Laxman highlighted Kohli's consistent high standards and stated that many young cricketers aspire to emulate him as he maintains 85 international centuries and over 28,000 runs across formats.
BCCI Injury Scrutiny Defense:
Laxman defended the Centre of Excellence amidst increasing scrutiny regarding injuries to Indian players by stating that injuries are an unavoidable aspect of any professional cricketer's career. He clarified that the facility's primary focus is on monitoring and managing players rather than operating solely as a rehabilitation center to help cricketers achieve overall excellence.
Current Fitness Concerns:
Several key Indian players, including Jasprit Bumrah, Sai Sudharsan, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Washington Sundar, are currently dealing with fitness concerns ahead of upcoming international assignments. Laxman also acknowledged ongoing challenges in filling the vacant position of Head of Sports Science and Medicine at the facility due to specific staffing requirements.
Pulse Intelligence
Context & ImpactContext & Background
- The Board of Control for Cricket in India established its Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to monitor and enhance player fitness and development across formats.
- Virat Kohli reached significant milestones including 85 international centuries and over 28,000 runs prior to the August 2026 statements.
Key Consequences
- The Centre of Excellence will continue to monitor injured players like Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan during their ongoing rehabilitation programs.
- The Board of Control for Cricket in India is expected to expedite the recruitment process for a new Head of Sports Science and Medicine.
Market & Economic Impact
No direct market impact.
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