VVS Laxman to attend all senior selection meetings, BCCI says

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said on Tuesday that VVS Laxman will attend all senior selection committee meetings after a review meeting in Mumbai, a move intended to improve communication between selectors and the Centre of Excellence (CoE). The announcement follows concerns within the board about clarity on player fitness and rehabilitation reporting.

Laxman, who heads the CoE, attended the T20I and India A selection meeting in Guwahati and will now be part of every senior selection meeting, Saikia confirmed. The decision was reached at the BCCI's review meeting in Mumbai and communicated to media through PTI.

"VVS Laxman will henceforth attend all senior selection committee meetings to ensure there is no miscommunication between selectors and the COE," Saikia told PTI on Tuesday. The board framed the step as a direct response to previously identified gaps in the flow of information between the CoE and the senior selection committee.

Officials cited particular concern over communication on the fitness and rehabilitation of injured players, noting selectors needed regular updates before finalising squads. The review meeting in Mumbai settled 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," Saikia said.

The development sits alongside public comments from India captain Shubman Gill in August, when he rejected the notion of a communication gap between the team management and the CoE. "There is a constant communication with them. Unfortunately Sai Sudharsan did not improve as much as we liked as we can't take risks in Tests. But we are confident of our 15," Gill had said.

BCCI sources and team officials have also linked the decision to disruptions caused by injuries as India prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which the reporting noted is less than a year away. After the third ODI against the West Indies, Gill commented on the squad continuity issues: "I would say it’s been unfortunate, you know, with the injuries and with the scheduling, with the other matches being around. It’s been a little bit unfortunate that we have not been able to play the bowling lineup that we would like to," Gill had told reporters.

By placing Laxman at every senior selection meeting, the BCCI intends to give selectors a direct line to the CoE on player availability and rehabilitation status. With Laxman set to attend all senior selection meetings, the BCCI is looking to ensure that selectors have the latest information on the fitness and rehabilitation of players before making selection calls.