BCCI seeks Head of Sports Science and Medicine after criticism over injury woes
Following criticism over the latest injury woes among star players, the BCCI has begun a search for a new head of sports science and medicine at the Center of Excellence. The COE has faced increasing criticism in recent weeks following a spate of injuries among Indian players.
Concerns focused mainly on the duration of the players’ rehabilitationthe methods used to assess their fitness and the coordination between the sports science team and the national selection committee.
India have been without the services of Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy and white-ball specialists Hardik Pandya and Varun Chakravarthy for some time now and the scrutiny has fallen on the work done at the Bengaluru centre.
The COE was without a sports and medical head since Nitin Patel stepped down in early 2025. Currently, Dhananjay Kaushik manages and oversees the sports science operations in Bengaluru.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE ROLE
The successful candidate will assume the role of BCCI’s Head of Sports Science and Medicine with a primary focus on player wellbeing, injury prevention, rehabilitation and long-term physical development. The role will include building stronger systems to manage injury, recovery, wellness and illness risks, while shaping the board’s wider approach to player health and performance.
The appointee will also oversee departmental planning, budgets, staff development and performance management and may represent BCCI on performance-related matters as required.
Applicants must have a master’s degree in sports science or a related field, with a doctorate preferred, and must have at least five years of strategic leadership experience with multidisciplinary high-performance teams. Professional or Olympic sports experience and current professional accreditation or licensure in a relevant sports science or medicine discipline are also required.
Experience as a Chief Medical Officer or Medical Director, specialist recognition in sports and exercise medicine and expertise in medical and clinical administration will be considered additional advantages.
“Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) invites applications for the post of Head – Sports Science and Medicine at BCCI Center of Excellence (CoE), Bengaluru.”
“The successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership for BCCI’s sports science and medicine across its elite cricket and CoE programmes. The role will also include line management of the Head of Physiotherapy (CoE), Team India Head of Physiotherapy, Head S&C (CoE) and Team India S&C, whilst working closely with national and CoE performance coach specialists, India’s cricketer integrated support programs and other support programmes.”
“The position will have a key focus on player wellbeing, injury prevention and rehabilitation, physical development, research, innovation and adoption of relevant technologies and services,” the BCCI said in a statement.
WHY DID BCCI POSTPONE THE DEADLINE FOR A LONG TIME?
BCCI’s decision to postpone the meeting for so long was theirs to wait for the right meeting. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the position does not delay any of the activities in the CoE.
“The vacancy of the Head of Sports Science is not a deterrent to our activities in the CoE,” Saikia said. “The right qualified person should be placed (for the role), not just anyone with qualifications is suitable.”
Interested candidates will have to submit their applications by 5:00 PM on September 30. The new head of sports science and medicine will report directly to the head of cricket at the CoE, VVS Laxman.
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Published on:
11 Sep 2026 17:16 IST