Big setback for Team India, key staff member set to resign following Champions Trophy title glory

In a massive setback for the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, Nitin Patel, the head of its Sports Science wing, is set to step down from his post, as per a Cricbuzz report.

Head of NCA's Sports Science Nitin Patel set to quit

Reportedly Nitin Patel has resigned and is currently serving his notice period, with his departure expected by the end of the month. Patel has been instrumental in managing player injuries including Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, overseeing workload, and rehabilitating both international and domestic cricketers.

Patel's contributions have been highly valued, and the BCCI will soon begin the search for his replacement by releasing an advertisement. He joined the NCA/Centre of Excellence in April 2022, and during his tenure, he made significant strides in areas such as workload management and the rehabilitation of international players. His expertise and leadership will be sorely missed.

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During his time at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, Nitin Patel played a crucial role in the rehabilitation and fitness management of numerous prominent cricketers. His work extended to overseeing the recovery of key players such as Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul. Notably, he recently assisted Mohammed Shami in his successful return to the team during the England series, and he is currently involved in Jasprit Bumrah's ongoing recovery from his January injury.

When Nitin Patel was initially appointed, the intention was to place him at the helm of the newly established Sports Science wing. However, the increasing frequency of player injuries prompted a strategic shift. In response, former BCCI secretary Jay Shah and Patel jointly inaugurated the high-performance center in September of the previous year, specifically designed to address and manage player injuries more effectively. This initiative underscored the growing importance of specialized injury management within Indian cricket.

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The BCCI has reportedly expressed satisfaction with the performance of its Sports Science division under Nitin Patel's leadership. A notable achievement during his tenure was the successful rehabilitation of key Indian players, Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah, in preparation for the ICC World Cup 2023.

Both Iyer and Bumrah underwent crucial surgeries, in New Zealand and England respectively, and the rehabilitation program designed by Patel's team ensured their full fitness for the tournament. The meticulously planned recovery process allowed both players to contribute significantly to India's journey to the World Cup final, highlighting the effectiveness of the Sports Science division's work.

A crucial aspect of the NCA's success was its seamless coordination with the Indian national team and then-head coach Rahul Dravid. This collaboration extended to the entire process of injury management, workload monitoring, and rehabilitation. This integrated approach ensured players received comprehensive and personalised recovery plans, often resulting in their return to play in a shorter timeframe than initially anticipated.

BCCI will look to fill up the vacancy as soon as possible with the rigorous cricket schedule coming up for Team India