India’s growing injury problems have put the spotlight on the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, where several international cricketers are currently undergoing rehabilitation.
The CoE’s Sports Science department is responsible for researching player injuries and working with cricketers to help them return to competitive cricket as quickly and safely as possible. However, the department has been without a permanent head since Nitin Patel left the position in March 2024.
At present, senior physiotherapist Dhananjay Kaushik is handling the role. His position has come under scrutiny as around 10 international cricketers are currently at the CoE for rehabilitation. Some of these players are dealing with recurring injuries, while concerns have also been raised about players being brought back into competitive cricket too quickly.
Amid the growing concerns, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia travelled to Bengaluru on Sunday to meet CoE head VVS Laxman and assess the situation. During the meeting, Laxman explained why the BCCI has still not been able to appoint a permanent replacement for Nitin Patel.
VVS Laxman said the CoE is divided into four different verticals and the Sports Science department has struggled to find someone suitable for the top position since Nitin Patel’s departure.
According to him, former BCCI physiotherapist Andrew Leipus had initially been considered for the role. The discussions had progressed significantly, with Devajit Saikia holding two or three meetings with Andrew Leipus, and an agreement had reportedly been reached. However, Andrew Leipus later withdrew from the process, citing family reasons.
VVS Laxman also explained that relocating to Bengaluru was one of the key requirements for the position. Candidates applying for the role had to be willing to move to the city because the CoE is based there. The BCCI then carried out another detailed selection process. VVS Laxman said the interview panel included himself along with Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, Dr. Ashish Soni and Dr. Rohan Khavte.
Five candidates were shortlisted, with an Australian candidate emerging as the preferred choice. However, even after being selected, the Australian candidate eventually pulled out of the process because he was not willing to relocate to Bengaluru.
The delay in filling the position comes at a difficult time for Indian cricket, with several international players currently recovering at the CoE and concerns growing over recurring injuries and the management of players returning to competitive action.
For now, Dhananjay Kaushik continues to oversee the Sports Science department, while the BCCI remains without a permanent head for the role that is expected to play a crucial part in injury research, rehabilitation and the safe return of Indian cricketers.
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