BCCI secretary Jay Shah clarifies BCCI hasn't approached any Australian for India head coach role

The deadline to apply for India head coach role is May 27.

Jay Shah, Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has revealed that no former Australian cricketer has been approached for the position of head coach. Jay Shah noted that the BCCI is looking for applicants with a thorough understanding of Indian cricket and its domestic structure.

Rahul Dravid’s term as Team India head coach will come to an end following the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States in June. Dravid may reapply for the role of head coach of the India men’s cricket team. However, the 51-year-old is unlikely to seek another term with the Indian cricket squad.

This comes after several reports indicated that multiple candidates have been considered to succeed Rahul Dravid. Ricky Ponting, the Delhi Capitals’ coach and a former Australian cricketer, recently disclosed that he was approached by the Indian board for the post. However, Ponting revealed that he turned down the offer owing to his existing lifestyle.

Andy Flower, the head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has announced that he will not seek for the position of head coach for the Men in Blue. According to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan, Stephen Fleming is not interested in committing to the Indian national cricket squad for a whole year.

“Neither I nor the BCCI have approached any former Australian cricketer with a coaching offer,” Jay Shah was quoted by Cricbuzz a day after such reports emerged.

Crucial that our coach has an in-depth knowledge of our domestic cricket: Jay Shah

On Friday, May 24, Jay Shah stated that selecting the appropriate coach is a laborious procedure. Shah stressed the necessity of the coach’s knowledge of Indian domestic cricket in taking Team India to the next level.

“Finding the right coach for our national team is a meticulous and thorough process. We are focused on identifying individuals who possess a deep understanding of the Indian cricket structure and have risen through the ranks. Our coach must have an in-depth knowledge of our domestic cricket framework to truly elevate Team India to the next level,” Shah was quoted by Cricbuzz.

He also said that the BCCI will pick the right candidate to propel Indian cricket forward. The 35-year-old stated that the role demands a high level of professionalism and nurturing talented cricketers.

“When we talk about international cricket, no role is more prestigious than that of the Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team. Team India commands the largest fan base globally, enjoying truly unrivaled support. Our rich history and passion for the game make this one of the most lucrative jobs in the world.

The role demands a high level of professionalism as one gets to nurture some of the best cricketers in the world and an assembly line of talented cricketers to follow. Catering to the aspirations of a billion fans is a huge honor and the BCCI will pick the right candidate, capable of propelling Indian cricket forward,” Shah added.

The application deadline for the head coaching vacancy is May 27, 2024. The minimum requirements are 30 test appearances, 50 ODIs, or two years as the head coach of a full-member test-playing nation. Three years of IPL, associate nation, or first-class coaching experience are also accepted.

The chosen coach will sign a three-and-a-half-year deal that expires in 2027.

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