The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has clarified why VVS Laxman, the head of the Centre of Excellence (CoE), attended the men’s selection committee meeting in Guwahati on Tuesday. According to BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, Laxman will now attend selection meetings regularly to avoid confusion over players’ fitness and injury updates. Laxman’s presence at the meeting immediately triggered speculation on social media, particularly after the BCCI advertised for a new selector following Ajit Agarkar’s departure.

Laxman’s name had reportedly been discussed for the position in recent months, further fuelling the rumours. However, Saikia explained that Laxman’s attendance is not connected to the vacant selection role. Instead, the decision was taken to improve communication between the BCCI, selectors and the CoE regarding player fitness.

“He is the head of cricket at the BCCI [CoE]. He has all the information about the players’ injuries, so to avoid any miscommunication, Laxman should attend the selection meetings going forward,” Devajit Saikia told The Times of India.

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The decision was reportedly finalised during a review meeting in Mumbai. Saikia also pointed out that Laxman could not directly replace Agarkar because he represents the South Zone, while the current vacancy is for a West Zone selector.

The move comes amid reports of strained relations between the BCCI and the Centre of Excellence over player fitness and injury management. There have been suggestions that disagreements between Agarkar and Laxman had reached a point where tensions could spill over into selection meetings.

Several injury-related incidents involving Indian players over the years had already placed the CoE under scrutiny, particularly when players suffered setbacks soon after returning to the national setup.

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Laxman, however, has previously defended the Centre of Excellence’s wider role, stressing that it is not merely a rehabilitation facility. His regular presence at selection meetings is now expected to give selectors more direct, up-to-date information before deciding on player availability.