BCCI Faces Setback as Nitin Patel Resigns , the head of its Sports Science wing, has decided to step down. Patel, who played a crucial role in injury management, workload monitoring, and rehabilitation of both domestic and international cricketers, is set to leave the newly established Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

According to sources, BCCI Faces Setback as Nitin Patel Resigns former physio for Team India and Mumbai Indians, is currently serving his notice period and is expected to depart by the end of this month. The BCCI is reportedly planning to release an official advertisement to recruit his replacement.

Key Role in Player Rehabilitation

Since his appointment in April 2022, Patel has worked closely with top Indian cricketers, including Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Mohammed Shami. His expertise ensured the successful rehabilitation of these players, helping them return to competitive cricket at crucial moments. Notably, he oversaw Shami’s recovery before his comeback during the Champions Trophy after a prolonged absence of nearly 15 months. Patel is currently believed to be managing Bumrah’s rehab, following his injury-related break since January.

Vital Contribution to BCCI’s High-Performance Centre

As the first-ever head of BCCI’s Sports Science division, Patel was instrumental in developing the Centre of Excellence into a high-performance hub. The initiative, originally envisioned by former BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, was officially inaugurated in September last year. The Centre gained recognition for its role in structured rehab programs, notably guiding Bumrah and Iyer through surgeries in New Zealand and England, ensuring their full fitness for the 2023 ODI World Cup.

His department worked in close coordination with the Indian team management, including former head coach Rahul Dravid, ensuring a streamlined approach to injury recovery and workload management.

Unclear Reasons Behind Patel’s Exit

Despite his significant contributions, Patel has reportedly submitted his resignation, though the reason behind his departure remains undisclosed. Both Patel and VVS Laxman, the head of the Centre of Excellence, have yet to comment on the situation.

With Patel’s exit looming, the BCCI now faces the challenge of finding a suitable replacement to continue the Centre of Excellence’s crucial work in sports science and player rehabilitation.