BCCI has renewed its search to recruit a Head of Sports Science and Medicine at the Bengaluru-based Centre of Excellence, officially opening applications through September 30. The critical role has sat unoccupied since Nitin Patel’s departure in March 2025, with senior officials—including BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia and CoE Chief VVS Laxman, openly acknowledging the difficulty in finding a suitable replacement. Former Indian national team physiotherapist Andrew Leipus was originally targeted as the top candidate, though he ultimately withdrew from consideration due to family commitments.
BCCI seeks Head of Sports Science & Medicine for CoE
Reporting directly to Laxman, the appointed chief will oversee the complete medical and fitness infrastructure for Indian cricket. The mandate includes line-managing the head physios and strength and conditioning leads for both the CoE and the national team, while partnering with coaching staff to design integrated performance programs. According to the BCCI, the position centers on safeguarding player welfare, refining injury-prevention and rehab protocols, driving physical development, and integrating modern sports science research and tech across the system.
India's injury woes put CoE under strict scanner
Intense scrutiny has plagued the BCCI's Centre of Excellence throughout 2026 as a persistent surge in player injuries triggered widespread backlash. The criticism grew severe enough to compel Board Secretary Devajit Saikia and CoE head VVS Laxman to hold a press briefing to explain the facility's operations and push back against the perception that it functions merely as a "rehabilitation centre." Addressing concerns over player health, Laxman insisted that communication regarding injury management remained seamlessly coordinated between athletes, management, and medical staff, while candidly revealing that the Head of Sports Science role had remained unfilled since Nitin Patel stepped down in 2025.
Following that media session—and a subsequent high-level review meeting where Saikia, Laxman, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and captains Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer tackled fitness concerns—the board officially posted the job opening. The urgency behind the move was underscored by ongoing fitness troubles within the national squad. Four players—Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy—were named to the Afghanistan series squad contingent on passing medical tests. However, just days before matchday, Rana suffered a fresh injury setback during recovery, forcing selectors to pull him from both the Afghanistan fixtures and the upcoming Asian Games in favor of replacement Yash Thakur.
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BCCI lays out qualification required for the top role
Meanwhile, to qualify for the top role, the BCCI requires candidates to hold a master’s degree in sports science or a related discipline, though applicants holding a doctorate will receive preference. Eligible candidates must boast at least five years of strategic leadership experience managing multidisciplinary performance departments within elite professional or Olympic sports environments. Additionally, active professional accreditation or licensing in a recognized sports science or medical field is mandatory.
Beyond the baseline requirements, the board favors applicants with high-level administrative clinical credentials. Candidates who have served as a chief medical officer or medical director bring a distinct advantage, as do those with specialized certification in sports and exercise medicine and a proven track record of managing elite medical and clinical governance frameworks.