Indian Cricketers Notified Over Anti-Doping Location Failures

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has issued formal notices to two prominent Indian cricketers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shafali Verma, following their failure to comply with mandatory testing protocols. Both athletes, who are part of NADA’s Registered Testing Pool (RTP), are now facing scrutiny for their absence during scheduled sample collections.

Details of the Compliance Failures

According to official records, Doping Control Officers (DCOs) visited the residence of women’s team batter Shafali Verma on 7 November 2023 to collect a sample, but she was not present at the location. A similar incident occurred regarding the men’s opening batter, Yashasvi Jaiswal; officers were unable to locate him for testing on 17 December 2023.

In February 2024, NADA sought formal explanations from both cricketers regarding these missed tests. However, as neither athlete provided a response or a satisfactory justification at that time, the agency officially categorised them as “absent for testing” within its regulatory framework.

Regulatory Framework and Consequences

Athletes included in the Registered Testing Pool are subject to strict “whereabouts” requirements. Under these rules, sportspersons must provide NADA with a specific one-hour window and a precise location for every day of the year to facilitate out-of-competition testing. Failure to be present at the designated location during the specified time constitutes a “Whereabouts Failure.”

NADA has formally notified the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the status of these two players. A final seven-day ultimatum has been issued to Jaiswal and Verma to explain their absence.

Summary of Reported Anti-Doping Incidents

The “Three Strikes” Rule

Under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) International Standard for Results Management, a combination of three “Whereabouts Failures”—which include both “Filing Failures” and “Missed Tests”—within a rolling 12-month period constitutes an anti-doping rule violation. Such violations can lead to a period of ineligibility or suspension from professional sport, typically ranging from one to two years depending on the degree of fault.

While this instance marks a serious procedural lapse, it remains to be seen how the BCCI will mediate between the players and the national agency. For Jaiswal and Verma, providing documented evidence for their absence within the upcoming week is critical to avoiding further disciplinary action. As of now, the cricketers have not issued public statements regarding the matter.