India, Nov. 28 -- 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 the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) headless sports science and medicine department. It has been nearly eight months since former head Nitin Patel moved on and over three months since an advertisement was put out inviting prospective 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 a...