New Delhi: In order to maintain BCCIIn an effort to focus on signing players at their peak, the Center of Excellence (CoE) has launched a program called Performance Blocks. TOI understands that the program, apart from being an integral part of a player’s return to playing process after injury, also opens doors for international players to improve their cricketing skills at any time of the year.Sources told Times of India Hardik Pandya Choosing to pursue performance rather than trying to adapt to the ODI series in England. Harshit Rana is the first player to declare himself fully fit for the scheme.“The CoE is primarily a rehabilitation center for international cricketers. The cricket program is limited to age-group and divisional camps. Now, Indian players can come anytime and take very professional courses to take care of the minutiae of the game. There will be a dedicated coaching staff working with the players. Furthermore, under the scheme, injured players will be allowed to play for the Indian team only if they fulfill their potential. ” a BCCI source told TOI.Earlier, an injured player had been clinically cured after undergoing some match simulation sessions. Often, the CoE doesn’t have enough quality players to compete in these simulated tournaments.Hardik is now the first big name to take part in this new initiative. The selection committee and team management were concerned about Hardik’s ability to bowl 10 overs in ODIs. He reportedly played 10 balls in the CoE during the first week of June before suffering a quadriceps injury on June 9. His recovery timetable is three weeks, either at the end of June or the first week of July. The selectors did not consider Hardik when naming the team on Sunday. “Hardik knows very well in his mind that he will not play for India unless he is at his peak physically and cricketingly. He doesn’t want to push himself and put his body at risk in the ODI World Cup 16 months later. We contacted the CoE and joined the performance team. Apart from gaining optimal fitness, he also wants to learn specific cricketing skills,” the source said.Under this performance block scheme, if a fast bowler is undergoing rehabilitation, his bowling will also be assessed by gradually increasing the workload. Once a bowler is able to withstand that load, he is monitored to see if he performs well with that load. If a fast bowler doesn’t bowl well throughout the tournament, his return to the game may be delayed.As far as Hardik is concerned, the CoE will take care of the bowling and batting in the 50-over format. “Hardik has not played a lot of 50-over cricket in the last two years. He needs to prepare in certain areas before he can get back into that form,” the source said.
