J Arun Kumar, Former Kings XI Punjab and Karnataka Coach, Applies For Post Of Batting Coach Of Indian Cricket Team 1
Photo: VV Subrahmanyam/The Hindu

Former Karnataka veteran batsman and one of the most experienced coaches in domestic circuit, J Arun Kumar has thrown his hat in the ring to become the batting coach of Indian cricket team, a report in Times of India suggests. Arun Kumar had landed the high-profile job as the batting coach of IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab in. 2017 He later went on to become the head coach of Hyderabad Ranji Trophy team.

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Prior that that, Arun Kumar had been the head coach of Karnataka state team. The R Vinay Kumar-led side became a giant force in 2013/14 and 2014/15 season when they famously won top three trophies in each season. The coach of the team was highly praised by the players during post-match interviews.

J Arun Kumar, Former Kings XI Punjab and Karnataka Coach, Applies For Post Of Batting Coach Of Indian Cricket Team 2

Presently, he is the coach of Puducherry state team, the job which he took up just a few days back. J Arun Kumar will have to leave that job if named as the batting coach of the Indian team. Indian opener Mayank Agarwal is one of the players who has worked with him.

As per the criteria to become the batting coach, one should have coached a team for a minimum of two years and should be below 60.  J Arun Kumar fulfills the two criterias. However, he does not have a BCCI level 3 certification, the report in TOI adds. Although he has experience of many years as coach which should go in favour of J Arun Kumar.

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Interestingly, he had also replaced Bangar as the batting coach of KXIP when the latter parted ways with the franchise in 2017.

The BCCI had advertised for the post of various coaches recently. Ravi Shastri is the head coach of the team while Bharat Arun does the job of a bowling coach. Sanjay Bangar is the assistant coach of the team whereas R Sridhar is the present fielding coach.

Ravi Shastri,
Ravi Shastri (Image Credit: Google)

The present coaching staff was given an extension for a period of 45 days, which will see them tour West Indies for the series that starts next month. As per reports, the present coaching panel is favourite to retain the job but a change or two in Shastri’s staff, if it happens, should not come as a surprise.

Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) headed by Kapil Dev will be overseeing the process of appointment of coaches for the Indian cricket team soon. The new coaches might take the job right from the start of home season in September.