The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) convened a review meeting on India Team in Mumbai on Sunday (January 1) in which they came up with some key recommendations in view of the Men's ODI World Cup which will be held in India later this year.
In the four-hour long review meeting, BCCI made the DEXA test along with Yo-yo test mandatory for selection in the Indian cricket team.
The DEXA or the Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry Test is now a must for injured players who will mark their return to the Indian National Team. Similarly, the Yo-Yo is now also mandatory for players as discussed in the review meeting in Mumbai.
Let's now understand the concept of DEXA Test
DEXA or Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is a scientific method in which the Bone Mineral Density of a person is determined using a special technique known as spectral imaging. Like other imaging methods (X-Ray or MRI), in this case, two X-Ray beams at different energy levels are directed toward the bone of the person. And accordingly, it reveals a chart with the current bone density and the mineral content of the bone for the person/player as in the case.
Importance of DEXA test
To understand why the DEXA Test is important for injured players aiming to make a return to the Indian National team we need to understand why the DEXA Test is important and what are its uses.
To put it in layman’s terms, the DEXA Test is used to determine the bone strength and bone mineral density of a patient/player. When it comes to injured players, the dynamics are changed. Players and athletes in general have better bone mineral density in comparison to normal humans.
Beside this, BCCI also stressed on the players' availability, workload management in the meeting as they also shortlisted 20 players who will be featuring in the marquee Men's ODI World Cup 2023. These players will be rotated in order to ensure the preparation of the 2023 World Cup which will be staged in India.
"BCCI has shortlisted 20 players who will be rotated till the 50 overs World Cup," Shah revealed to reporters after BCCI's review meeting of the men's national team which took place on Sunday (January 1) in Mumbai.
The quartet of head coach Rahul Dravid, captain Rohit Sharma, chief selector Chetan Sharma and NCA head VVS Laxman nearly brainstormed for four hours in a city hotel in Mumbai and took key verdicts after India's lackluster show in the recent times. The newly recruited BCCI president Roger Binny was also present in the meeting via video conferencing.
"It was a very constructive and fruitful meeting where we have reviewed the past performance and planned for the future events, including World Cup and World Test Championship (WTC). We will give preference for international cricket while making sure the IPL is not diluted," a BCCI source, who attended the meeting, said as reported by Crizbuzz.
"The issues of player availability, workload management and fitness parameters were also discussed at length during the meeting along with the roadmap to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023," he added.
Key recommendations
1. The emerging players will have to play a substantial domestic season to be eligible for selection to the national team.
2. The Yo-Yo Test and Dexa will now be part of selection criteria and implemented in the customized roadmaps of the central pool of players.
3. Keeping in mind the Men’s FTP and preparations for ICC CWC 2023, the NCA will work in tandem with the IPL Franchisee to monitor the targeted Indian players participating in the IPL 2023.
4. BCCI has shortlisted 20 players for the ICC World Cup 2023.
5. All 20 players will be rotated for the next 35 ODIs India will play in 2023.
6. For multi-format players, focus will be mainly on fitness.
