BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia With IPL Team Owner Nita Ambani Hardik Pandya, Mahieka Sharma. Image Credits: X
The discussion around player workload and pressure from IPL franchises has once again become a major talking point. This happened after KKR played spinner Varun Chakaravarthy even though he was reportedly suffering from a hairline fracture in his left foot.
As worries increased about the possibility of making the injury worse, BCCI responded to the matter.
Notably, the issue became serious after KKR’s match against Gujarat Titans on May 16. During the game, Chakaravarthy completed his full four-over spell despite clearly struggling with pain. It is important to note that the Indian star was seen limping at different moments and looked uncomfortable while walking back to his bowling mark.
BCCI Opens Up On Player Fitness Concerns
Notably, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has finally expressed the board’s helplessness in front of IPL franchises, admitting that the BCCI cannot fully control franchise decisions regarding player fitness during the tournament.
“So far as the IPL is concerned, the franchisees do take care of the injuries and the fitness of the players. Of course, our physios from the CoE (Centre of Excellence) are also monitoring them, giving them the workload as well as the plan for how to keep them fit, so monitoring is there, but we cannot interfere too much when the IPL is going on,” Devajit Saikia said on Tuesday after announcing India’s squad for the next month’s home series against Afghanistan.
He further explained that the BCCI would have had greater authority if the matter involved the Indian national team directly.
“Had it been the Indian team’s situation, our control would have been more. Now, we are giving that freedom to the franchises that take calls on their players, and we definitely look into their fitness level when it comes to selecting the national team,” he added.
Also Read: BCCI, KKR Get In A Nasty Tussle Amid IPL 2026
Ajit Agarkar Trusts Medical Staff
BCCI Chief selector Ajit Agarkar also spoke about the situation. He explained that players themselves often know whether they are capable of continuing despite injuries or discomfort.
However, he admitted that selectors depend heavily on the reports provided by trainers and physiotherapists.
“Sometimes a player knows whether he can play through it or not. I won’t be able to tell you, sitting here, whether they are playing through niggles or not. You certainly want them fit when they come and play or represent the national team. But that’s an area of expertise for the trainers and the physios who kind of give me the feedback of where a player is at,” chief selector Ajit Agarkar said.
“I am not an expert in that area. If they tell me a certain guy is fit, I have to trust that person when we pick them. And maybe in two weeks, if we are told that those two guys (Rohit and Hardik) haven’t quite made it fitness-wise, we will take a call accordingly.
But at this point, I’ve been told that they are on track and we will perhaps assess it. Whether they have been playing with something, I am not sure. I go by what the physio tells me, and I have full faith in what the Indian physio tells me,” he added.
More Fitness Concerns Around Indian Players
Meanwhile, Varun Chakaravarthy is not the only player facing fitness concerns. Reports suggest that he has continued bowling in the IPL despite a fractured toe. In addition, there has also been uncertainty over whether pacer Arshdeep Singh has been dealing with a minor injury.
At the same time, senior Indian players Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have been selected for the upcoming series, but their participation depends on receiving fitness clearance from the BCCI.
Also Read: Matheesha Pathirana Injury Update: Will Pacer Play KKR’s Next Match Against Mumbai Indians?
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