Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif is baffled by the fact that the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) has struggled to find a Head of Sports Science and Medicine for its Centre of Excellence (CoE), despite the board’s financial strength and resources.
Kaif’s comments come on the backdrop of CoE head VVS Laxman’s admission that the BCCI has been unable to fill the key position since Nitin Patel vacated it in March 2025. The position, key to the well being of Indian cricket’s ecosystem, remained vacant even after the BCCI reached an agreement with Andrew Leipus, the Head of Sports Science at Punjab Kings.
According to Laxman, Leipus backed out at the last moment due to family reasons.
WHY NO ONE WANTS TO JOIN BCCI?
Kaif was perplexed by the development and questioned why some of the world’s leading medical and sports science professionals would not want to work with the BCCI.
“I am surprised because so many people are eager to work with the BCCI. We have so much money that if we call someone, they will come running. They do, don’t they? Just look at the players. Players leave their countries’ matches to come and play in the IPL. They come, don’t they? So, I was a little surprised that we haven’t been able to work things out with some of the world’s best physiotherapists and medical professionals and get them to work with the BCCI. I am surprised because we pay so much. We offer such good contracts. If someone comes and works here, they are bound to make a lot of money. They get paid very well,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
The former India batter also hit out at the BCCI’s failure to resolve the issue, arguing that the experts appointed by the board need to find a solution.
“There was a statement from VVS Laxman that they had approached several people. Those things were being worked out, but at the last minute, they turned it down. So, what I am trying to say is that whatever is happening needs to be fixed. I am not an expert on this. The experts appointed by the BCCI need to do their job. But I am telling you that it is having a significant impact,” Kaif said.
Laxman had revealed that the BCCI went through an extensive process to find a replacement for Patel but failed to land its preferred candidates.
“After Nitin left, we did not get anyone who could fill in that position. We had Andrew Leipus. Everything was agreed upon; in fact, Devajit had two or three meetings with him, but suddenly Andrew backed off at the last moment, citing family reasons. We conducted a full-fledged interview process with Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, Dr Ashish Soni, Dr Rohan Khavte, and me. We shortlisted five candidates, and the number one was an Australian. After selecting him, suddenly he backed out, saying he cannot move to Bengaluru,” Laxman told reporters on Sunday, August 9.
INDIA’S INJURY CRISIS
The vacant position has become a concern at a time when injuries have repeatedly disrupted India’s plans. Kaif pointed to Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from the third ODI against England at Lord’s as an example of how injury management can have a direct impact on results.
“We are taking injuries too lightly. Bumrah didn’t play at Lord’s, and we conceded 387 runs. That was a crucial ODI. The series was tied at 1-1, it was the third and deciding match, and we conceded 387. So I feel this needs to be worked on. Everyone involved needs to sit down, put their full energy and focus into it, and find a solution,” Kaif said.
The BCCI’s difficulty in filling high-profile positions is not entirely new. Ahead of Rahul Dravid’s departure as India’s head coach following the 2024 T20 World Cup, reports had suggested that the board had approached former Australia coach Justin Langer and former Australia captain Ricky Ponting for the position.
Both coaches were reported to have turned down the opportunity, although the BCCI subsequently dismissed those reports as rumours.
The CoE position, however, remains a more immediate concern, with the BCCI yet to find a permanent replacement for Patel more than a year after his departure.
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