The BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) has continued its extensive search for a new Head of Sports Science and Medicine (SSM) following a series of high-profile last-minute withdrawals. The position has been vacant since Nitin Patel left the role in March 2025.
Key candidates who withdrew includes former Indian team physio Andrew Leipus, who agreed to terms but backed out at the last second due to personal family reasons.
During a media interaction at the high-performance facility in Bengaluru on Sunday (August 9), CoE head VVS Laxman and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia detailed the primary obstacles and candidates involved in the hiring process.
“Unfortunately, after Nitin left as the head of Sports Science, we didn’t get anyone to fill in those shoes,” Laxman admitted. “We had Andrew Leipus: everything was agreed upon, Devajit (Saikia, BCCI secretary) had two-three meetings, and at the last-minute, Andrew backed off citing family reasons”.
After Leipus' exit, Laxman, as part of a panel of experts, kickstarted another recruitment drive that shortlisted five candidates.
“Out of (five), the No.1 candidate was Australian. I don’t want to name him, but after being selected, he suddenly backed out saying he can’t move to Bengaluru.
“The second and third candidates are already working at the COE,” Laxman added. “Now, it is our responsibility to upskill them, while looking to identify someone of that stature and experience and knowledge”.
The top medical professional from the New Zealand national rugby team neared a final agreement but pulled out at the last moment. “He almost agreed and at the last moment, backed out (too),” the CoE chief stated.
Laxman praised the sports science team for stepping up without a head. He noted a large gap between state and international levels, because of which the CoE insisted on having a head of sports science for each association, with the expectation to “standardise all fitness protocols and guidelines and execute them throughout the year”.
“So that player should at domestic or state level should not feel that there’s a big difference when he comes to the targeted group or the Indian team”.
He revealed they could only find seven quality professionals through interview. “Unfortunately, through the interview process, could only identify seven quality professionals”.
Laxman insisted the candidates must not only have high-level credentials but also a deep understanding and knowledge of managing Indian cricketers.
“The lookout is still there, but you have to find someone who is qualified and capable enough to take up that position. We will quite definitely fill that position, and the suitable candidate has to be identified.”
Saikia noted that there is an acute shortage of elite sports science professionals globally who possess the necessary acumen to head the standard of the current CoE technical team.
“There are very limited persons, not only in India but across the world. Therefore, we are facing some problems despite repeated processes being done. We are not getting the right candidate. Because of acute shortage, I should say, we are not getting the person. But the process is on to find the right candidate,” Saikia remarked.
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
