Mario Villavarayan set to return to BCB as head of rehab center

Bangladesh Cricket Board is all set to reunite with former national strength and conditioning coach Mario Villavarayan, who is expected to head the board's rehab center.

Villavarayan is expected to replace the local coaches who have run the rehab center following national lead physiotherapist and rehabilitation manager Julian Calefato's resignation in 2023.

"We are at the final stage of our agreement with Mario. We are appointing him to be in charge of the rehab center," a BCB official confirmed to Cricbuzz.

"We are also expecting him to educate our trainers," he added.

Earlier in 2014, the BCB appointed Villavarayan as the senior men's team's S&C coach. The 52-year-old worked in that capacity for six years before resigning from the post in 2020 to join Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League.

Since then, he has been working in different capacities across domestic leagues, as well as in some national cricket teams.

"I have got some commitments in July. So it will be around August," Villavarayan told this website when asked about his reunion with the BCB on Tuesday.

It is understood Mario will have a window off for his IPL commitments. According to sources, he is expected to be available for a certain number of months during the year.