BCCI would’ve started the process of finding a new coach when present head coach Ravi Shastri will assemble the Indian team for his last assignment as head coach of the Indian team for the 2021 T20I World Cup. The BCCI is close to finalizing the documentation and the criteria for the next support staff and is likely to come out with an advertisement this week.
Along with Ravi Shastri, bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar’s contracts also end in November. India is due to play a full series against New Zealand at home from November 17, which is three days after the T20 World Cup final in Dubai.
BCCI Keen To Bring In The New Coach During New Zealand Series Before South Africa Tour
Former Indian cricketers Anil Kumble and VVS Laxman are in contention for the next chief coach of Team India. According to the reports, the BCCI may mull over appointing big names like Anil Kumble and VVS Laxman for the head coach role.
Anil Kumble served as the chief coach for one year in 2016-17 before he gave up after a fallout with the skipper Virat Kohli. Besides Anil Kumble, the BCCI may also approach VVS Laxman, who has been the mentor of Sunrisers Hyderabad since the IPL 2013 season.
“The process of hiring the next support staff will start this week. The board is looking at October 14 to come out with the advertisement. The board is keen to bring in the new coach during the New Zealand series so that he gets used to the dressing room before the team leaves for South Africa in the second week of December,” a top BCCI official told TOI.
“These are very early stages. There could be more big names applying for the job. The board will wait to see who all apply and then decide on pursuing individuals,” the BCCI official added.
The source stated that the likes of VVS Laxman and Anil Kumble perfectly fit the bill to become the next coach. Moreover, they have tremendous experience in coaching or mentorship.
Paras Mhambrey Is In Running To Be India’s Bowling Coach
Former India pacer and current National Cricket Academy bowling coach Paras Mhambrey is in the running to be the bowling coach. Paras Mhambrey has been grooming the next generation of future players as NCA head Rahul Dravid’s trusted lieutenant over the last six years.
Rahul Dravid’s reapplying for Head of Cricket at National Cricket Academy contradicts the reports of him being Ravi Shastri’s successor at the highest level. Rahul Dravid had travelled with the men’s team to Sri Lanka as a head coach earlier this year.
“It will be great if Mhambrey applies for the job. He knows the system well. But the board will have to figure out who will take care of the U-19 team because there is not much time to prepare or the U-19 World Cup,” the official said.
Under Ravi Shastri, India has achieved several milestones, more significantly in Test cricket that included reaching the final of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship, back-to-back series wins on Australian soil, and the recent tour of England where his team was leading 2-1 before the final contest was called off due to Covid-19 outbreak in the touring camp.
Among overseas coaches, former Australia all-rounder Tom Moody is said to be interested in applying for the position for the fourth time. In addition, the former South African all-rounder and the coach of the Afghanistan cricket team, Lance Klusener, expressed his desire to be the next coach of the India cricket team if given an opportunity.
Regarded as one of the best coaches to have served New Zealand cricket, Mike Hesson is well respected all around the world and was instrumental in making the Black Caps one of the best cricket teams in the world. Mike Hesson is the Director of Operations at Royal Challengers Bangalore.