Axar Patel and Abhishek Sharma Enter NADA’s Registered Testing Pool; Shreyas Iyer Exits
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has updated its Registered Testing Pool (RTP) for the latest quarter, introducing changes to the cricket contingent. Indian all-rounder and T20 World Cup winner Axar Patel, alongside top-order batter Abhishek Sharma, have been added to the testing pool. They replace batter Shreyas Iyer and Indian women’s team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, who have been removed from the updated list.
NADA functions in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code. The organization is responsible for executing dope testing, managing results, and enforcing sanctions to ensure a clean sporting environment across India.
Understanding the Registered Testing Pool (RTP)
The RTP comprises elite athletes who are subject to rigorous out-of-competition testing. Athletes included in this pool are required to comply with strict whereabouts regulations.
- Whereabouts Submission: Athletes must regularly update their location and daily training schedules.
- One-Hour Window: Individuals must specify a 60-minute time slot each day when they are available for testing at a designated location.
- Violation Protocol: Three missed tests or filing failures within a 12-month period constitute an anti-doping rule violation, potentially resulting in a lengthy ban.
Cricketers Included in the Latest RTP
The current RTP list features 348 athletes across multiple disciplines, with 14 spots occupied by players contracted under the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The majority of the cricket contingent remains unchanged from the previous cycle.
| Category | Cricketers Monitored in NADA RTP |
|---|---|
| Men’s Team | Axar Patel, Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma |
| Women’s Team | Deepti Sharma, Shafali Verma, Renuka Singh Thakur |
Athlete Distribution Across Olympic Sports
While cricket features 14 athletes, athletics dominates the national testing pool. The track and field representation increased from 118 to 134 athletes in the current update.
- Athletics (134): Monitored athletes include steeplechaser Avinash Sable, hurdler Jyothi Yarraji, decathlete Tejaswin Shankar, sprinter Animesh Kujur, long jumpers Shaili Singh and M Sreeshankar, and discus thrower Tajinderpal Singh Toor.
- Wrestling (31): Includes Olympic bronze medalist Aman Sehrawat.
- Boxing (22): Features Nikhat Zareen, Nishant Dev, Jaismine Lamboria, and Olympic medalist Lovlina Borgohain.
- Hockey: Lists senior players Manpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Hardik Singh, Salima Tete, Savita Punia, and Navneet Kaur.
- Badminton (8): Tracked players include PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and Gayatri Gopichand.
- Archery: Features Deepika Kumari, Rakesh Kumar, and para-archer Sheetal Devi.