Intrusive doping concerns all

The Indian board has rejected ICC's anti-doping policy on the behest of its players who felt the 'whereabouts' clause - which mandates that athletes to make themselves available for testing every day of the year - was a violation of their privacy and threat to their security. The Outlook magazine's Rohit Mahajan believes an ‘intrusive’ doping rule concerns all and the Indian cricketers have raised the lone banner of revolt.

But does cricket, a highly skill-based sport, need such drastic testing? Yes, says Ashok Ahuja, former head of the department of sports medicine, National Institute of Sports, Patiala. “The role of steroids has increased in cricket, especially among pace bowlers, to build up the muscles and recover from injuries,” he told Outlook. Ahuja also talks about the use of recreational drugs by sportspersons. “Some superstar athletes, moving in seven-star society, use recreational drugs,” he says, adding that the BCCI’s suggestion that it could produce a player for testing on a 24-hour notice won’t be acceptable because these drugs can be washed out of the system in that time.