BCCI holds review meeting after overseas defeats, plans SENA tour strategy and workload changes

# What happened India's recent struggles on overseas assignments and to address rising concerns about player workload and injuries. Devajit Saikia, the board secretary, described the session as a focused look at performance, fitness and planning for future tours to SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia).

# Who attended

# Why the review now India suffered several white-ball reversals on recent overseas assignments: a 2-0 T20I defeat in Ireland, a 4-0 T20I loss to England, and a 2-1 defeat in the ODI series in England. Saikia said those results required "soul-searching" and triggered a review of how the team prepares for and manages tours abroad.

# Main issues discussed

• Overseas performance: The meeting sought to identify reasons for the defeats and to agree on a strategy for future SENA tours. The aim is to change how India prepares when playing in conditions that traditionally pose challenges for subcontinent teams.

• Player workload and injuries: Saikia highlighted the packed international calendar and long IPL stints as factors that increase injury risk. He pointed out that several players who toured England picked up injuries after extended IPL participation.

• FTP and scheduling options: The board discussed restructuring the Future Tours Programme to provide adequate rest, better acclimatisation windows and preparatory warm-up matches before major SENA tours. The focus is on what can be done within existing international windows and FTP constraints.

# Players mentioned and fitness context

Hardik Pandya's prolonged absence was also noted. He has been out since IPL 2026 after back stiffness and a later thigh injury, missing multiple series and white-ball assignments. Saikia framed these absences within the broader workload context rather than as issues linked to individual treatment.

# Tone and next steps Saikia said the meeting was not aimed at singling out any player. The intent is to formalise fitness policies and protocols across men's, women's and CoE operations and to coordinate internal coaching teams. Concrete next steps include drafting a SENA tour strategy and looking for practical FTP adjustments to reduce fatigue and improve on-field readiness.

# Bottom line The BCCI is responding to a run of poor overseas results by combining performance review with operational fixes: revising tour preparation for SENA countries, tightening fitness and recovery protocols, and seeking scheduling changes within the existing international calendar to reduce player burnout and injury risk.