A mere formality, but BCCI invites you to apply for the position of head coach

PHOTO: BCCI had announced that Rahul Dravid will be appointed head coach after the T20 World Cup. Photo: Reuters

A couple of days after former Indian captain Rahul Dravid was convinced to take responsibility, the BCCI on Sunday posted an ad for the post of head coach and three support staff in accordance with the constitution mandated by the Lodha Committee.

It has been pre-determined that Dravid, who currently heads the National Competition Authority and has been the driving force behind India’s A and U-19 programs, is going to take power unless something miraculous happens.

Dravid has already reached an informal agreement in a discussion with top BCCI officials in Dubai on the IPL final website.

However, the BCCI must have a Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) and make a formal recommendation to the BCCI Summit if it passes. The deadline for applications for all posts is 26.10.

For this reason, BCCI has now published an ad for the position of head coach for two years until the 2023 ODI World Cup, as well as places for batting, bowling and field coaches.

Ravi Shastri, bowling coach Bharath Arun and field coach R Sridhar will complete their terms at the end of India’s T20 World Cup campaign next month.

Batting coach Vikram Rathour, although he has no performance during his two-year term since 2019, is expected to get a continuation if he applies.

The position of bowling coach is expected to be longtime Indian A and U-19 coach Best Mhambrey, Dravid’s trusted ally.

An incumbent in the position of head coach must play either 30 tests or 50 ODIs and experience either in coaching the national team for two years or on any IPL team for three years.

He is responsible for 14-16 support staff.

“The successful candidate is responsible for developing a world-class Indian cricket team that delivers continued success in all circumstances and forms, inspiring current and future generations of cricket and stakeholders with their approach to the game,” the ad stated.

The head coach is responsible for reviewing, maintaining and enforcing disciplinary rules on the Indian men’s team.

He will also work with the director of the National Cricket Academy to develop a development plan to develop players who are not part of the national team where possible.

He must “observe players in elite competitions with national voters and make strategic contributions to the selection whenever needed, and provide support and advice in developing a cricket path.”

The BCCI also believes that the incumbent head coach “must demonstrate his great organizational and tactical strengths and is responsible for formulating and implementing short, medium and long term plans for the development of the Indian team.

“Central to these is the ability to manage the game and coaching resources available to them in the best possible way in all three game modes.”

For other support personnel, qualifications require 10 tests or 25 ODIS systems or associations or experience working with IPL / A teams for three years.

Another post for which BCCI is looking for a candidate is after the resignation of Ashish Kaushik, director of sports science and medicine at the National Cricket Academy.