Hardik Pandya joins CoE’s new performance block program for comeback Cricket News:
NEW DELHI: In a bid to maintain the BCCI:Centrally contracted players in the main form of expertise, the Center of Excellence (CoE) launched a program called performance block. TOI has learned that this program opens doors for international players to sharpen their cricketing skills at any point of the year apart from being an integral part of a player’s return-to-play process after injury.Sources told TOI that: Hardik Pandya chose to go for the performance block instead of pushing to be fit for the ODI series in England. Harshit Rana is the first player to declare fully fit under this programme.“The CoE is largely a rehab center for international cricketers. Cricketing programs are limited to age group and zonal camps. Now, Indian players can come at any time and have very special sessions to work on small things in their game. There is a dedicated coaching staff that works with the players. Also, under this programme, an injured player can only be cleared fit to play for India if he is playing to his potential,” a BCCI source told TOI.In the past, an injured player used to be cleared at the clinic after a few game simulation sessions. Usually, the CoE does not have a quality pool of players to play these simulation matches.Hardik is now the first big name to go through this new programme. The selection committee and the team management were worried about Hardik’s ability to bowl 10 overs in an ODI. He reportedly bowled 10 overs in the CoE in the first week of June before suffering a quadriceps injury on June 9. The timeline given for his recovery was three weeks, which would have been the end of June or the first week of July. The selectors named the team on Sunday without considering Hardik. “Hardik is very clear in his mind that he will not take the field for India unless he is at the top of his game – both physically and in cricket. He doesn’t want to push himself and put his body at risk in the ODI World Cup 16 months away. He contacted the CoE and participated in the performance block. He wants to work on specific cricket skills apart from achieving prime fitness,” said the source.According to this performance block program, if a fast bowler undergoes rehab, his bowling will also be assessed by gradually increasing the workload. Once the bowler can bear the load, it will be observed if his performance is good in taking that load. If the fast bowler does not bowl well through a session, then his return to play may be delayed.In Hardik’s case, the CoE will work on bowling and batting as per the 50-over format. “Hardik hasn’t played much 50-over cricket in the last two years. He needs to pick up some aspects before returning to that format,” said the source.
Post Comment