BCCI to name India’s new head coach on June 24

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to name the new head coach of the Indian cricket team on June 24 after it was revealed that the board’s Working Committee is scheduled to meet in Dharamsala next Friday to take stock of things.

Former cricketers like Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble and Venkatesh Prasad and Sandeep Patil, chairman of the national selection panel, are some of the notable names in the race for the top job. BCCI received as many as 57 applications during the 10-day period after it formally advertised for the vacancy through its website on June 1.

Although the BCCI sources maintained that ‘it’s the normal agenda’, the panel is likely to identify the new coach, less than two weeks before India’s departure for their next assignment – four-match Test series in the West Indies.

Ajay Shirke, the new honorary secretary of the board, is handed the task of shortlisting viable candidates before a formal interview round is conducted.

BCCI had named Sanjay Bangar as he interim coach for the ongoing limited-overs series in Zimbabwe. The Indian team has been without a head coach since the tenure of Duncan Fletcher expired with India’s exit at the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Apart from naming the coach, the committee is also expected to validate the suggestions put forward by the technical committee, including holding Ranji Trophy games of the upcoming season at neutral venues. A meeting of the Ranji Trophy coaches and captains is also scheduled for June 23 at the same venue.