Hardik Pandya joins CoE’s new performance blocks program for a comeback

Hardik Pandya (IANS photo) NEW DELHI: In a bid to keep BCCI’s centrally contracted players in top form, the Center of Excellence (CoE) has launched a program called performance block. TOI understands that this program has opened the door for international players to hone their cricketing skills at any point of the year, apart from being an integral part of a player’s return to action after injury.Sources told TOI that Hardik Pandya has opted for a performance block instead of trying to get fit for the ODI series in England. Harshit Rana is the first player to declare himself fully eligible under the scheme.“The CoE was largely a rehabilitation center for international cricketers. The cricket programs were limited to age-group and zone camps. Now Indian players can come anytime and have very specialized sessions to work on the little things in their game. A dedicated coaching team will work with the players. Under this program, an injured player can only be cleared to play for India if he is told by the TOIBC.Earlier, the injured player was clinically cleared after undergoing several match simulations. CoE often did not have a quality pool of players to play these simulation matches.Hardik is now the first big name to go through this new programme. The selection committee and team management are concerned about Hardik’s ability to bowl 10 overs in ODIs. He reportedly played 10 overs at the CoE in the first week of June before suffering a quadriceps injury on 9 June. The timeline for his recovery was three weeks, which would be the end of June or the first week of July. The selectors named the team on Sunday without considering Hardik. “Hardik is very clear that he will not take the field in India unless he is at the top of his game – both physically and cricket-wise. He does not want to push himself and put his body at risk with the ODI World Cup in 16 months. He has contacted the CoE and is involved in a performance block. He wants to work on specific cricketing skills apart from getting fit,” the source said.Under this performance block programme, if a fast bowler is undergoing rehabilitation, his bowling will also be assessed by gradually increasing the workload. Once the pitcher is able to handle the load, it will be observed if he can handle the load well. If a fast bowler fails to bowl during the game, his return to the game may be delayed.In Hardik’s case, the CoE will work on bowling and batting according to the 50-over format. “Hardik hasn’t played much 50-over cricket in the last two years. He needs to pick up some aspects before he comes back to this format,” the source said.