Following a review meeting with India’s senior team management, the board indicated that the next Future Tour Programme (FTP) cycle will place greater emphasis on rest, recovery and preparation.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said officials have been asked to explore ways to create more breathing space between international series. The board also wants players travelling to demanding overseas destinations to have sufficient time to acclimatise, with warm-up or practice matches potentially included before major assignments.
The issue of player workload emerged as one of the major talking points during the meeting, which was attended by Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, head coach Gautam Gambhir and Centre of Excellence chief VVS Laxman.
Saikia acknowledged that the packed cricket calendar could be contributing to the rising number of injuries. He pointed to India’s recent tour of England, where several members of the ODI squad suffered injuries after playing a lengthy Indian Premier League campaign.
According to the board secretary, the combination of domestic franchise cricket and international commitments can take a physical toll on players. The BCCI now wants its scheduling process to account for that burden more effectively.
The proposed FTP changes could be particularly important for tours of SENA countries — South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia — where players often have to adapt quickly to unfamiliar conditions.
The BCCI wants future schedules to provide adequate recovery time before major series and potentially include warm-up fixtures. The objective is to ensure players are physically prepared while also giving them time to adjust to different pitches, weather and playing conditions.
The board has also said that a protocol is already in place for players returning to international cricket after injuries. Feedback from captains and the coaching staff will be incorporated into a broader strategy for managing player fitness.
Despite the proposed changes, India’s schedule remains extremely demanding. Before the next IPL season, the team is expected to play seven Tests, 14 ODIs and 16 T20Is, in addition to participating in the Asian Games.
Saikia admitted that the sheer number of matches remains the board’s biggest challenge. He stressed that better coordination between the BCCI’s various departments, coaching staff and the Centre of Excellence would be necessary to manage the situation.
The meeting also brought renewed attention to Rohit Sharma’s international future, particularly with the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching.
Saikia pushed back against speculation that the former India captain could be left out of the World Cup plans. He pointed to Rohit’s recent performances, including his 138-run innings, as evidence that there is little reason to question his current position.
The BCCI’s proposed scheduling approach signals a greater focus on managing the demands placed on players as India prepares for an increasingly packed international calendar.
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