BCCI’s sports science body still headless

There are reasons aplenty behind Indian Test cricket falling off the cliff. While the tactical and technical shortcomings of the coaching staff is apparent, systemic failure and absence of planning, although less glaring, are equally to blame. A gaping hole in the structural functioning is BCCI's headless sports science and medicine department.

- Rasesh Mandani

It has been nearly eight months since former head Nitin Patel moved on and over three months since an advertisement was put out inviting applicants. No suitable candidate has been found yet, it is learnt.

BCCI has had enough time to fill the vacancy. Patel was requested to stay on for three months after his contract ended at the end of last year. Two months of IPL followed. After no direct hiring was possible, an advert was sent out. In the interim, the plush Centre of Excellence facility became fully functional in Bengaluru, replacing the old National Cricket Academy. However, there is no one to take a lead in overseeing the injured contracted players’ rehab programmes.