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The BCCI has taken a big step to improve communication between the Indian selectors and the Centre of Excellence (COE). Actually, the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) head, VVS Laxman, will now attend every senior selection committee meeting from now on.
The BCCI CoE head was already present during the recent T20I and India A selection meeting in Guwahati, and the board now wants the legendary batter to regularly attend the process. Earlier, Ajit Agarkar rejected Bhuvneshwar Kumar's comeback despite RP Singh's request.
VVS Laxman’s role gets bigger after Ajit Agarkar's exit
The BCCI has taken this call after concerns over the communication between the COE and the selectors, especially regarding the injured players.
There was reportedly a clear gap between VVS Laxman and former chief selector Ajit Agarkar, with selectors not always getting proper updates or timelines about injured players.
The Indian cricket board now wants to make sure the selectors have all the correct information before picking a team. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the decision was taken during a review meeting in Mumbai.
BCCI makes VVS Laxman part of all senior selection meetings
Since VVS Laxman is the head of cricket at the COE, his presence in the selection meetings will help the selectors get direct and updated information about players recovering from injuries.
This change was introduced after Agarkar’s exit as chairman of selectors. Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha is currently working as the interim chairman of the selection panel. Amid this, Sourav Ganguly responds to conflict of interest row after DC coaching appointment.
Devajit Saikia said in his statement, "This was decided at the review meeting in Mumbai that as head of cricket, COE, Laxman should attend all meetings going forward. The move is intended to ensure there is no miscommunication and selectors get accurate information to make right decisions.”
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns after nearly 4 years for New Zealand T20Is
Meanwhile, the selectors surprised the Indian fans by bringing back the experienced fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the national team after nearly four years. He has been selected in the India squad for the five-match T20I series in New Zealand later this month.
Varun Chakravarthy has also returned to the Indian side. He missed India’s recent series and Asian Games 2026 in Japan because of an injury but has now recovered and found his place back in the T20I squad for the upcoming New Zealand tour.
India’s New Zealand tour will begin with the first T20I in Christchurch on October 22. The second match will also be played in Christchurch, followed by the third game in Wellington on October 27. The fourth T20I will take place in Auckland on October 30, while the final match will be played in Hamilton on November 1.
After the T20I leg of the crucial tour, the Men in Blue will also play a five-match T20I series against the Back Caps as well as a three-match Test series later this year. India is currently playing a five-match T20I series against the West Indies after clinching the ODI series 2-1 at home.
