The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to conduct a thorough review of the Indian team's performance in the recent U-19 Asia Cup. This evaluation is expected to extend beyond the tournament results, placing the overall functioning and effectiveness of the National Cricket Academy's Centre of Excellence (CoE) under intense scrutiny.
Concerns Over Player Development and Role Clarity
Sources within the board indicate that significant concerns have been raised regarding the process of grooming young talent over the past four years. A major point of discussion is the apparent need to realign the Indian team management, the national selectors, and the Centre of Excellence to work in greater harmony.
There appears to be a lack of clear definition in the roles of the CoE coaching staff and the national selection committees. This confusion is reportedly affecting the seamless transition of players from age-group to senior cricket. VVS Laxman, who recently received a two-year extension as the head of cricket at the CoE, may need to reassess his involvement in the coaching and selection pipeline.
"There is some confusion about role definition. Laxman is firmly in charge of making decisions about U-19 teams. He even has a major say in appointing captains. When Rahul Dravid was head of cricket, he was actively involved in the selection of India ‘A' players because he was the one who was devising programmes for each player. At the moment, Laxman doesn't have much say in the India ‘A' process," a BCCI source revealed.
On-Field Setbacks Highlight Systemic Issues
The review has been prompted not just by the U-19 team's significant loss to Pakistan in the Asia Cup, but also by the India ‘A' team's failure to reach the final of the Rising Stars Asia Cup last month. The core concern for the team management is that players emerging from the system are not polished products ready for the international arena, with very few successfully graduating from age-group to senior cricket.
With the CoE formally beginning its operations this year, Laxman is currently preoccupied with a substantial amount of administrative work. This period has also coincided with a major overhaul of the CoE's coaching staff. The role of fast bowling coach Troy Cooley has been under particular observation, with the board noting limited improvement in the skills of young pacers under his guidance. The board is set to relieve him of his duties, citing his upcoming 60th birthday.
Travel and Tactical Decisions Add to Complexity
Another point of difference from the previous regime is Laxman's travel schedule. Unlike his predecessor Rahul Dravid, Laxman does not frequently travel with the developmental teams. "Most of Laxman's overseas assignments have been with second string Indian teams when the main team is away on Test assignments. It needs to be seen if he can travel more with the developmental teams," the source added.
Further complicating the process was the scenario during the Rising Stars Asia Cup. Jitesh Sharma was sent as captain on the insistence of the senior selection committee. However, Jitesh reportedly had a major influence on playing combinations and match strategies, a departure from the norm where such decisions are typically made by the coaching staff in consultation with the selectors for developmental sides.
The upcoming BCCI review aims to address these multifaceted challenges, streamline the roles of various stakeholders, and ensure a more robust and clear pathway for India's next generation of cricketing talent.
