The Indian cricket team’s head coach search has escalated as incumbent Rahul Dravid declines to continue. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is contemplating foreign coaches such as Stephen Fleming and Ricky Ponting due to their considerable experience in Indian cricket. However, the year-round commitment may be a disincentive, as Fleming and Ponting have given lukewarm responses.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially invited applications for the position of head coach of the senior men’s team.
“Interested applicants can submit their applications by 6 p.m. IST on May 27, 2024. Must be willing to meet work expectations and pressures associated with handling marquee athletes,” the BCCI stated at the outset of the application procedure.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is exploring various options, including experienced international coaches. VVS Laxman, the head coach of the National Cricket Academy, has emerged as a top contender for both the board and the fans. However, whether Laxman will apply for the position remains uncertain.
Ricky Ponting to Stephen Fleming
India has had two exceptional foreign coaches, John Wright and Gary Kirsten, over the past twenty-five years. Under Wright, India emerged as a formidable force on the international scene, winning Test series in Australia and England and making it to the World Cup final in 2003. Wright was also in charge when India triumphed over Pakistan in their very first Test series.
Kirsten oversaw India’s victory in the 2011 World Cup. However, following a botched experiment involving Duncan Fletcher, the BCCI modified its guidelines and began to favor Indian coaches. The duo of Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli achieved remarkable success in Test cricket, including historic wins in Australia and England, but failed to lift the ICC trophy. Dravid and Rohit Sharma’s partnership has brought commendable success, but the road to winning the ICC title is far from over.
