In recent times, the National Cricket Academy (NCA) has often been criticized for mismanaging players’ injuries and hence, it will be going through a revamp as BCCI will introduce a new medical panel and a dedicated social media department. The need for a medical panel was discussed at the NCA’s recent meeting which was attended by all the BCCI-officer bearers, including president Sourav Ganguly and NCA cricket head Rahul Dravid.
The development comes after the criticism the NCA drew for the injury management of leading India players, including Wriddhiman Saha and more recently Bhuvneshwar Kumar. All-rounder Hardik Pandya and premium fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah added to the NCA’s woes by choosing personal rehabilitation over recovering in Bengaluru.
Talking about the same, a senior BCCI official said, “The BCCI will consult a London-based clinic, Fortius, for setting up its medical panel.”
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Head of fast bowling, will also be filled soon and that person will be in charge of setting up a fast bowling program at the NCA. The board will also hire a nutrition head for the Bengaluru-based facility.
The NCA has mainly been in the news for all the wrong reasons and there is no official communication coming out of it. A social media manager will come on board to provide regular updates of the things taking place inside the facility. The move could also go a long way in repairing NCA’s reputation, the Board official added.
The NCA had failed to detect Bhuvneshwar’s sports hernia and then it was again criticized when Bumrah and Hardik were taking outside help for their recovery rather than relying on the NCA staff. Going forward, Ganguly has already clarified that NCA will be the primary center for cricketing development programs in the country and all India players will have to go to Bengaluru for rehabilitation. He also expects the new NCA facility to be ready in 18 months’ time.
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Even a data analyst will be recruited and the NCA will also be conducting Level 2 and Level 3 coaching courses at its premises with state associations footing the bill for their respective coaches.
