BCCI Searches for Sports Science Head Amid Injury Concerns
The BCCI has opened applications for a new Head of Sports Science and Medicine at its Bengaluru Centre of Excellence amid scrutiny over player injuries and rehabilitation.
The BCCI has begun the search for a new Head of Sports Science and Medicine at its Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru following growing scrutiny over injuries and rehabilitation among Indian cricketers. The appointment comes amid concerns about the length of recovery periods, fitness assessments and coordination between the sports science team and selectors.
Several key players, including Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Hardik Pandya and Varun Chakravarthy, have spent significant periods away from action due to injuries, increasing focus on the systems in place at the Bengaluru facility.
The CoE has been without a dedicated head of sports science and medicine since Nitin Patel stepped down in early 2025. Dhananjay Kaushik is currently overseeing the sports science operations.
The new appointee will lead efforts related to player welfare, injury prevention, rehabilitation, physical development, research and performance technology. The role will also include managing departmental planning, budgets and staff while overseeing key physiotherapy and strength-and-conditioning teams.
Candidates are required to have a master's degree in sports science or a related discipline, with a doctorate preferred, along with at least five years of strategic leadership experience in multidisciplinary high-performance environments. Experience in professional or Olympic sport and relevant accreditation is also required.
The BCCI said it had waited for the right candidate rather than rushing the appointment. Applications close at 5 pm on September 30, with the successful candidate reporting to Head of Cricket at the CoE, VVS Laxman.
