Virat Kohli is an exemplary professional, says VVS Laxman

VVS Laxman, head of the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, on Sunday, August 9, 2026, commended Virat Kohli for his approach to professional cricket and his standing among younger players in the Indian team. Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, Laxman highlighted how Kohli's personal commitment to excellence serves as an example for the next generation of cricketers.

Kohli consistently sets very high standards for himself and strives to meet them every time he plays, inspiring young cricketers and teammates to emulate him. Laxman explained the batter's consistency in pursuing his own benchmarks and how this has made him a reference point for players developing their careers within Indian cricket.

"I think there is no doubt that Virat is an exemplary professional. And the standards he sets for himself are something which he tries and goes out every time he plays (for) whichever team to meet those standards. And that's why he is a great role model. And I think a lot of youngsters or players want to emulate him," Laxman said to reporters.

CoE's broader role beyond rehabilitation

Laxman also addressed the broader mission of the Centre of Excellence during the press conference. He stressed that the facility extends beyond injury rehabilitation and recovery programmes, playing a wider role in helping cricketers achieve excellence.

"CoE is not merely a rehab centre. There are bigger roles to play for it in helping cricketers achieve excellence," Laxman said.

Staffing challenges at the Centre of Excellence

Laxman acknowledged staffing challenges at the Centre of Excellence, particularly in filling key positions. He revealed that the organisation had faced difficulties in appointing a suitable candidate for the Head of Sports Science and Medicine role, which requires stature, experience and understanding of Indian cricketers and their requirements.

"After Nitin (Patel) left, we couldn't fill his shoes. Everything was agreed upon; Andrew (Leipus) backed off citing family reasons," Laxman said.

Recently, both Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan were included in India's squad on a subject-to-fitness basis, with their availability dependent on clearance from the CoE's medical and sports science staff. Following assessment, the experts chose a cautious path and withheld clearance for both players ahead of the Sri Lankan Test series.