The latest report from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has cast a spotlight on doping testing patterns in Indian cricket for the early part of this year. Notably, while cricket icons like captain Rohit Sharma and batsman Virat Kohli remain untested in last five months, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja saw the most frequent testing.
Jadeja's three dope tests, conducted between January and May 2023, came from out-of-competition urine samples collected across different dates. This makes him the cricketer with the highest number of doping checks within this timeframe. NADA's emphasis on Jadeja resonates with their intent to foster a clean sports culture.
The data further reveals that 55 cricketers, encompassing both genders, underwent doping tests in the first five months of 2023, leading to a collection of 58 samples. The majority of these tests fell under the 'Out Of Competition' (OOC) category, reflecting NADA's keen focus on curbing doping even outside active competition.
When stacking up the current data against prior years, 2023 is on track to overtake the sample figures from both 2021 and 2022, which had 54 and 60 samples respectively. The inclusion of blood samples in the recent testing process, with seven out of 58 samples being blood-based, adds another dimension.
Several international cricketing names, such as David Wiese, David Miller, Cameron Green, Sunil Narine, among others, also underwent doping tests during this stretch, majorly around the Indian Premier League (IPL) phase. Both urine and blood sample tests were part of this rigorous check, underscoring NADA's thorough approach to upholding cricket's sanctity.
NADA's reliance on blood testing, which can spot substances potentially undetectable in urine, strengthens their anti-doping strategy. This approach aids in tracking athletes' biological passports, a pivotal tool to unearth any use of performance-enhancers. With the cricketing fraternity continually battling doping, NADA's stringent testing protocols emphasize their dedication to championing fair play, protecting athletes, and fortifying the sport's integrity.
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