📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Kalyan Chakravarthy
Sports
VVS Laxman Urges Centre of Excellence to Serve All Cricketers, Not Just Contracted Players
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 30 Aug 2026, 10:37 AM
👁 6
Former Indian captain VVS Laxman has called for the Centre of Excellence to be open to all aspiring cricketers, not just those already contracted, stressing the need to strengthen India's cricket development pipeline.
VVS Laxman, the former Indian captain, recently voiced his concerns about the current structure of the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in an interview with a national sports outlet. He argued that limiting the CoE to only contracted players restricts the talent pool and hampers the development of cricket in India.
Laxman highlighted that opening the CoE to all aspiring cricketers would allow early identification of talent and provide them with world‑class coaching and facilities. He believes that many promising players are currently overlooked due to the narrow focus on already contracted individuals.
The former captain urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to review its policies and broaden access to the CoE. He stressed that a more inclusive approach would strengthen the country’s cricket pipeline and ensure a steady flow of skilled players to the national team.
Laxman’s remarks come at a time when India is looking to reinforce its grassroots cricket structure to maintain its competitive edge on the global stage.
Laxman highlighted that opening the CoE to all aspiring cricketers would allow early identification of talent and provide them with world‑class coaching and facilities. He believes that many promising players are currently overlooked due to the narrow focus on already contracted individuals.
The former captain urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to review its policies and broaden access to the CoE. He stressed that a more inclusive approach would strengthen the country’s cricket pipeline and ensure a steady flow of skilled players to the national team.
Laxman’s remarks come at a time when India is looking to reinforce its grassroots cricket structure to maintain its competitive edge on the global stage.