The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) is leaving no stones unturned in its quest to help Team India defend the No. 1 ranking.

Sai Prasad Mohapatra

Keeping in mind VVS Laxman’s longstanding back problem – he has been suffering from the ailment for the past eight years -- and that was evident during his match-winning century against Sri Lanka in the third Test at the P Sara Oval, the BCCI has consulted Damian Fahy, a spine specialist with Lister hospital in London.

Laxman will meet Fahy on September 3. Besides Laxman, pace spearhead Ishant Sharma’s persistent ankle injury has been a headache for the Indian team for a while now.

To get Ishant fit, the BCCI has consulted ankle and foot specialist Dr. James Calder, a resident doctor in Lister Hospital. Ishant’s appointment has been fixed with Dr Calder on Sept 6.

Meanwhile, the BCCI is set to rake in more moolah courtesy a renewed deal with Nike – Test 70lakh, ODI 50lakh and T20 40 lakh. For winning the world cup and the T20 world cup, Nike has offered Rs 2 crore bonus, and for the champions trophy, it has offered a bonus of Rs 1.2 crore.

This will be approved during Saturday’s working committee meeting. The new contract will come into effect from January 1, 2011, spreading over a period of four years.

(Sai Prasad Mohapatra works for ESPN SportsCenter)

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