BCCI Steps Up Sports Science Push, Seeks Head of Sports Science and Medicine Amid Injury Concerns

BCCI Begins Search for Sports Science and Medicine Head Amid Injury Concerns

Following growing criticism over the injury problems affecting several Indian players, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has opened applications for the position of Head of Sports Science and Medicine at its Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.

The CoE has come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks amid questions over the length of players’ rehabilitation, fitness assessment procedures and coordination between the sports science team and the national selection committee.

India have been without several key players for extended periods, including Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Hardik Pandya and Varun Chakravarthy. The situation has brought renewed focus on the injury-management and rehabilitation systems at the Bengaluru-based centre.

The position has remained vacant since Nitin Patel stepped down in early 2025. At present, Dhananjay Kaushik has been overseeing the sports science operations at the CoE.

What will the new BCCI Sports Science and Medicine head do?

The successful candidate will be responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership to the BCCI’s Sports Science and Medicine services across its elite cricket and CoE programmes.

The role will focus on player welfare, injury prevention, rehabilitation, wellness, illness management and long-term physical development. The appointee will also be expected to strengthen systems for managing injury risks and recovery while promoting research, innovation and the use of relevant technologies.

The new head will oversee departmental planning, budgets, staff development and performance management, while also representing the BCCI on performance-related matters when required.

The role includes line management of the Head of Physiotherapy (CoE), Team India Head of Physiotherapy, Head of Strength and Conditioning (CoE) and Team India Strength and Conditioning staff. The appointee will work closely with national and CoE coaches, Cricket Education and other performance specialists to develop integrated support programmes for Indian players.

According to the BCCI, the position will have a particular focus on “player welfare, injury prevention and rehabilitation, physical development, research, innovation and the adoption of relevant technologies and services.”

Eligibility criteria for the post

Applicants must have a master’s degree in Sports Science or a related discipline, while a doctorate will be preferred. Candidates should also have at least five years of strategic leadership experience working with multidisciplinary high-performance teams.

Experience in professional or Olympic sport, along with current professional accreditation or a licence in a relevant Sports Science or Medicine discipline, is required.

Experience as a Chief Medical Officer or Medical Director, specialist recognition in Sport and Exercise Medicine, and expertise in medical and clinical governance will be considered additional advantages.

Why did BCCI wait to fill the position?

The BCCI had previously said that it was waiting for the right candidate rather than rushing to fill the vacant position.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the absence of a permanent head had not affected the functioning of the Centre of Excellence.

“The vacant position of the head of the sports science is not a deterrent to our activities in CoE,” Saikia said. “The proper qualified person should be positioned (for that role), not anyone just having the qualification is fit for that.”

Candidates interested in the position must submit their applications by 5 pm on September 30.

The new Head of Sports Science and Medicine will report directly to VVS Laxman, Head of Cricket at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.