The BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) is currently navigating a series of setbacks in its search for a new Head of Sports Science and Medicine (SSM). The position has remained vacant since Nitin Patel, the previous department head, departed in March 2025, leaving a leadership void that the board has struggled to fill despite multiple recruitment efforts.
VVS Laxman, the head of the CoE, addressed the ongoing recruitment challenges during a media interaction at the facility. He noted that while several high-profile candidates have come close to accepting the role, the process has repeatedly stalled at the final stages. “Unfortunately, after Nitin left as the head of Sports Science, we didn’t get anyone to fill in those shoes,” Laxman stated.
The board’s most prominent target was Andrew Leipus, a former Indian men’s team physiotherapist who also served at the National Cricket Academy between 2015 and 2017. Leipus, who had participated in the interview process when Patel was hired in 2022, was a top priority for the BCCI. However, despite reaching an agreement after several meetings with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, Leipus withdrew at the last minute, citing family commitments.
Following that disappointment, a panel of experts shortlisted five additional candidates. According to Laxman, the top-ranked applicant was an Australian professional who ultimately declined the offer due to an inability to relocate to Bengaluru. The second and third candidates identified during this search are already employed at the CoE, and the board is currently focused on upskilling them while continuing the search for a leader with the required stature and experience.
The BCCI also engaged in advanced discussions with the Head of Sports Science for the New Zealand rugby team, the All Blacks, but that candidate also backed out at the final moment. Laxman emphasized that the role is strictly full-time and requires the appointee to be based in Bengaluru for daily oversight, a condition that has narrowed the pool of available talent.
Despite the leadership vacancy, Laxman praised the existing sports science staff for their dedication in maintaining operations. The CoE is currently working to standardize fitness protocols across all state associations to ensure a seamless transition for players moving from domestic cricket to the national team. To bridge the gap between state and international levels, the board has mandated that each association appoint its own head of sports science.
However, finding qualified personnel for these regional roles has also proven difficult. Laxman noted that the interview process for these positions yielded only seven quality professionals. Currently, zonal SSM heads are tasked with overseeing five associations each, providing support and relaying complex injury cases to the CoE rehab team when necessary.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia acknowledged the global scarcity of experts capable of meeting the board’s high standards. “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,” Saikia explained.
Laxman remains committed to the search, insisting that the successful candidate must possess not only technical qualifications but also a deep understanding of the specific needs of Indian cricketers. The board continues to evaluate potential applicants, with the goal of securing a leader who can effectively manage the complex requirements of the national sports science program.
The closest candidate was notably Andrew Leipus, who worked as the Indian men’s team’s physio between 1999 and 2005, and then at the National Cricket Academy between 2015 and 2017.
Leipus had also been part of the interview process when Nitin was selected in 2022, which Laxman says is the reason BCCI reached out to Leipus as soon as they got to know about his exit.
“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.
However, finding suitable candidates has been an onerous task at that level too.
