The BCCI is looking to make India’s international cricket calendar more player-friendly after acknowledging that a packed schedule is contributing to frequent injuries. Secretary Devajit Saikia said on September 3 that the board wants the next BCCI injury management strategy to include better scheduling, adequate rest and more preparation time for major overseas assignments.
The issue was discussed during a review meeting at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, attended by head coach Gautam Gambhir, Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman and senior BCCI officials. The meeting examined India’s recent results, player fitness concerns and preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
BCCI injury management becomes a major priority
The latest BCCI injury management discussion comes after a series of fitness setbacks involving members of India’s senior squad.
Saikia acknowledged that players are dealing with a demanding workload because of the number of international matches combined with franchise cricket and domestic commitments. He specifically pointed to India’s England assignment, noting that players had also spent around two months playing in the IPL beforehand.
The BCCI secretary said frequent injuries are a significant concern and that the board needs to find solutions within the existing international scheduling windows.
The concern is not simply about one particular player or one series. Instead, the board is examining whether the overall calendar gives India’s leading cricketers enough time to recover between demanding assignments.
Read more: Indian Cricket Team
Why the BCCI wants a more player-friendly FTP
The Future Tours Programme (FTP) determines much of the structure of international cricket. The current men’s FTP runs through 2027, meaning the next cycle provides an opportunity for the BCCI to push for changes in how India’s international commitments are arranged.
Saikia said the board wants the next FTP to give players adequate rest while also allowing sufficient time for acclimatisation and practice matches before major overseas series.
The focus will be particularly important for tours involving SENA countries — South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia — where unfamiliar conditions can make preparation especially important.
Rather than simply reducing cricket wherever possible, the objective appears to be making better use of the available scheduling windows.
Read more: ICC Men’s Future Tours Programme
Rest and acclimatisation could become key parts of scheduling
One of the most important proposals discussed by the BCCI is giving players more time to prepare before major overseas assignments.
The board wants future scheduling to provide sufficient rest periods, while also creating opportunities for teams to become familiar with local conditions before competitive matches begin.
Practice matches could be particularly useful on overseas tours. They would allow players to adjust to pitches, weather and playing conditions before the pressure of an international series begins.
Saikia indicated that the board is trying to identify what can realistically be changed within existing FTP and scheduling constraints.
Read more: Jasprit Bumrah Named in India T20I Squad for Afghanistan Series
Player workload extends beyond international cricket
The BCCI’s scheduling challenge is complicated by the amount of cricket Indian players play outside international matches.
The IPL occupies a significant portion of the calendar, while players can also be involved in domestic competitions and other international assignments. Saikia specifically referenced the two-month IPL period before India’s England campaign when discussing the physical toll on players.
This means international scheduling cannot be viewed in isolation.
A player may technically have a gap between two international series but still have played a substantial amount of cricket immediately beforehand. Effective workload management therefore requires the BCCI to consider the broader calendar rather than looking only at the gap between India fixtures.
BCCI also reviewing injury rehabilitation protocols
Scheduling is only one part of the BCCI injury management strategy.
The board is also reviewing its existing processes for players returning from injuries. Saikia said there is already a protocol under which injured players can work with their own physiotherapists or enter the rehabilitation programme at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
Before a player returns to international cricket, certain fitness requirements have to be completed.
The BCCI’s Centre of Excellence has previously explained that its injury-management process can run from diagnosis through rehabilitation until a player is cleared to return to competitive cricket. The facility also works across sports science, medicine, strength and conditioning and technology.
Read more: BCCI Centre of Excellence and injury-management process
Recent injuries underline the challenge
Several Indian players have faced fitness issues during 2026, underlining why workload management has become a major topic for the board.
BCCI announcements have documented injuries involving players including Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy and Sai Sudharsan during different stages of the season.
The situation does not necessarily mean every injury is caused by excessive cricket. Injuries have different causes, and the board’s own approach is focused on reducing avoidable workload-related risks rather than suggesting that scheduling is responsible for every fitness problem.
That distinction is important as India develops a long-term strategy for player availability.
How the changes could affect Team India
A more carefully structured calendar could help India maintain greater availability of key players across formats.
The aim is not necessarily to keep every senior player involved in every match. Instead, workload management can allow players to be rested at appropriate times while giving replacements opportunities to gain international experience.
The approach could become especially important as India prepares for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The BCCI’s September 3 review meeting was partly focused on the road towards that tournament, making player availability and preparation increasingly important.
BCCI injury management faces a difficult balancing act
The proposed BCCI injury management changes will have to balance player welfare against the realities of international and franchise cricket.
The board cannot control every part of the global cricket calendar, and India’s bilateral schedule is also influenced by broadcasters, commercial agreements and international commitments.
The ICC’s FTP itself is built through agreements among member boards, while individual boards retain significant responsibility for arranging bilateral cricket.
That means creating a healthier schedule will require coordination rather than simply removing fixtures.
What happens next?
The BCCI has not announced a complete new schedule or a fixed list of mandatory rest periods. Instead, Saikia said the board is working towards a better FTP for the next cycle and will continue discussions after taking feedback from the captains and head coach.
The September 3 review therefore represents the beginning of a broader scheduling discussion rather than the announcement of a fully implemented injury-prevention programme.
For Indian cricket, however, the message is clear: player workload has become an administrative priority.
The BCCI injury management approach will now depend on whether the board can turn that recognition into practical changes in scheduling, rehabilitation and preparation. With the 2027 World Cup approaching, keeping India’s leading players fit and available could become one of the most important challenges of the next FTP cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is the BCCI reviewing its cricket schedule?
Ans. The BCCI is reviewing the schedule because frequent player injuries and a heavy workload have become concerns. The board wants more rest, acclimatisation and preparation time for major assignments.
2. What changes is the BCCI considering in the next FTP?
Ans. The board wants the next FTP to provide players with better rest periods and more time to acclimatise and play practice matches before major overseas series, particularly in SENA countries.
3. Does the BCCI believe the IPL is contributing to player injuries?
Ans. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia pointed to the demanding schedule around the IPL and international cricket as one factor that can take a toll on players’ health.
4. How does the BCCI handle injured players?
Ans. The BCCI has rehabilitation protocols involving medical staff, physiotherapists and the Centre of Excellence. Players must meet required fitness standards before returning to international cricket.
5. When will the new BCCI FTP changes take effect?
Ans. The BCCI has discussed making the next FTP more player-friendly, but it has not announced a complete new schedule or specific rest periods. Further discussions are expected as the next cycle is planned.
