BCCI’s Injury Crisis: 32 Top Indian Men’s Cricketers Treated as CoE Budget Rises to ₹127 Crore

The BCCI has increased its spending on player rehabilitation and injury management as injuries continue to trouble Indian cricket. According to a Times of India report, the Board’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) has treated 32 top Indian men’s cricketers over the past year or so, highlighting the growing workload on the country’s sports science and medical facilities.

The development comes amid increasing concerns about recurring injuries among Indian players, particularly those under central contracts. The number of cricketers visiting the CoE reportedly increased following the latest Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

BCCI Increases CoE Budget by ₹35 Crore  

In response to the growing injury concerns, the BCCI has raised the CoE’s budget to ₹127 crore for the current financial year, up from ₹92 crore in the previous year. The increase of nearly ₹35 crore reflects the Board’s greater focus on player fitness, rehabilitation and injury management.

According to the report, India head coach Gautam Gambhir and Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill have also expressed concerns about the frequency of injuries among players. With international cricket and franchise leagues placing significant demands on cricketers, managing workloads and ensuring proper recovery have become increasingly important.

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Among Players to Visit CoE  

Several prominent Indian cricketers have visited the Centre of Excellence for rehabilitation over the past year.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both approaching the later stages of their careers, have also used the facility for recovery. Rohit reportedly visited the CoE earlier this year while recovering from a hamstring injury, while Kohli made his first visit to the rehabilitation centre this year.

Other regular visitors include Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna. However, the report did not specify how many times these players had visited the facility for treatment.

The repeated need for rehabilitation among established international players underlines the challenge of maintaining fitness across demanding international schedules and domestic T20 leagues.

Soft-Tissue Injuries Account for Most Cases  

The scale of the problem extends beyond the men’s senior team. According to the report, the CoE treated 68 players across men’s and women’s cricket over the past 20 months, with soft-tissue injuries accounting for the majority of cases.

These injuries can involve muscles, tendons and ligaments, and their recovery often requires careful rehabilitation and workload management.

Rishabh Pant was reportedly the only player among the cases mentioned to have suffered an impact-related injury. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter received treatment for a fractured foot sustained during the Manchester Test last year.

The report also noted that the last time the BCCI faced a similar number of soft-tissue injuries was during the 2020–21 season, when players were competing amid the demands of COVID-19 bio-secure bubbles.

BCCI Looks to Strengthen Sports Science Team  

Alongside the increased budget, the BCCI is also looking to strengthen the CoE’s sports science and medical setup. The Board recently invited applications for the position of head of Sports Science and Medicine, which has reportedly remained vacant since June 2025.

Filling the position could be an important step in improving coordination across injury prevention, rehabilitation and player fitness management.

What Lies Ahead for Indian Cricket?  

The rising number of injuries presents a significant challenge for Indian cricket, particularly with players balancing international commitments, domestic competitions and franchise leagues.

While the increased CoE budget signals a stronger financial commitment to player care, the bigger task will be to translate that investment into better injury prevention, effective rehabilitation and more consistent player availability.

For the BCCI, managing the fitness of its leading cricketers will remain a key priority as India looks to maintain depth and stability across formats.