Two of the most closely watched support jobs in Indian cricket are officially open. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited applications for the fielding coach of the senior women’s national team and the head physiotherapist of the senior men’s national team, with both windows closing at 5 pm IST on 16 November 2026.
The notice was published on the BCCI website on 3 November 2026, and the news gathered pace on 4 November. These are rare roles: they sit inside the national-team setup, travel with the squads, and shape how players train, recover and perform.
Here is what each job involves, who can apply, and what the BCCI is looking for.
Two roles, two very different jobs
The women’s fielding coach will be responsible for developing and managing the fielding performance of the senior women’s team across all three formats. That means designing a full fielding programme, running practice and match-day sessions, and giving individual coaching to lift catching, ground fielding and throwing.
The men’s head physiotherapist, meanwhile, will lead injury management, prevention and performance support for the senior men’s team. The job covers match-day physiotherapy, day-to-day injury support, prompt diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment, rehabilitation and return-to-play plans.
Why these openings matter right now
The women’s fielding role has been under the spotlight for a while. Munish Bali has been the fielding coach with the women’s side since 2022, and India’s inconsistent performances in the field have drawn repeated criticism, including during the recent Zimbabwe ODI series, where errors in the field stood out.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan added a lighter note to the debate on 4 November, reacting to the vacancy announcement on X with the words: “I will be the fielding coach.” His post landed after India’s catching troubles were highlighted during the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, where reports noted India dropped 10 catches across five group-stage matches.
On the men’s side, the opening follows the resignation of head physiotherapist Kamlesh Jain, submitted to the BCCI in September. The Chennai-based physio is set to end a four-year association with the team when India concludes its New Zealand tour in December. Jain, who joined from Kolkata Knight Riders, had become a key bridge between the Centre of Excellence, the selectors and the coaching staff on player fitness.
Who can apply for the fielding coach role
Applicants for the women’s fielding coach job must meet at least one of three routes set out by the BCCI:
- Have represented India or another country at international level.
- Hold a minimum BCCI Level B coaching certification, or an equivalent qualification from a reputed organisation, along with experience in at least 30 first-class matches.
- Have coached an international team for at least one season, or a T20 franchise or state team for at least two seasons.
Beyond the formal criteria, the BCCI wants a thorough understanding of the game, experience at the highest level, and the ability to work in a multicultural team, with strong communication, teamwork and people-management skills.
Who can apply for the head physiotherapist role
The bar for the men’s head physiotherapist role is deliberately high, reflecting the responsibility of keeping elite fast bowlers, batters and fielders fit through long seasons. The BCCI’s guidelines include:
- A postgraduate qualification specialising in sports or musculoskeletal physiotherapy, sports and exercise medicine, or sports rehabilitation.
- A minimum of 10 years of experience in providing physiotherapy services.
- Experience working with elite athletes or teams, preferably high-performance squads.
- Extensive experience in musculoskeletal and sports injury diagnosis, differential diagnosis, radiological understanding, and early and end-stage injury management.
- Advanced Life Support and Trauma Management training completed within the past two years, which must be in place before starting the role.
How to apply and the deadline to remember
Applications for both positions are being accepted online through the BCCI’s official website, bcci.tv, where the board has published the detailed notices and application forms. Candidates should read the full official notice before applying.
The single date that matters most is 16 November 2026. Applications for both the fielding coach and head physiotherapist roles close at 5 pm IST that day, and late submissions will not be part of the process. With less than two weeks left from the announcement, interested coaches and physiotherapists will need to move quickly to put together their credentials, experience details and supporting documents.
FAQs
What roles has the BCCI opened applications for?
The fielding coach for the senior women’s national team and the head physiotherapist for the senior men’s national team.
What is the last date to apply?
5 pm IST on 16 November 2026 for both positions.
Where do candidates apply?
Through the official BCCI website, bcci.tv, where the board has published the notices and application forms.
What is the minimum coaching qualification for the fielding coach role?
Applicants must meet one of the BCCI’s routes, including international representation, a BCCI Level B certification (or equivalent) with at least 30 first-class matches, or specified international, franchise or state coaching experience.
What experience does the head physiotherapist role require?
A relevant postgraduate qualification, at least 10 years of physiotherapy experience, work with elite athletes or teams, and Advanced Life Support and Trauma Management training completed within the past two years.
Team India moves on small margins, and these two appointments could quietly make a big difference. The clock, for now, is ticking toward 16 November.
