THE CONTENDERS

With head coach Anil Kumble stepping down, stating that his relationship with skipper Virat Kohli had become ‘untenable’, the hunt for the new coach has begun. HT looks at the chances of the top five candidates who’ve applied for the job.

VIRENDER SEHWAG

A frontrunner, he was apparently urged to apply by the BCCI, according to media reports. However, when HT contacted him before his candidature became public, he stated no one had contacted him.

FOR: Post-retirement, he was mentor to Kings XI Punjab in

2016 before becoming the franchise’s head of operations in 2017..

AGAINST: While his one-liners have earned him fans on social media, his lack of coaching expertise might go against him.

RICHARD PYBUS

Despite having played just one List A match in his career, Pybus has had a successful career in coaching and led Pakistan to the World Cup final in 1999. His second tenure with the team didn’t yield much and he stepped down as coach of Bangladesh within five months. FOR: The Englishman has been at the helm for Pakistan and Sri Lanka and might be a suitable candidate given his experience in the subcontinent. AGAINST: He hasn’t handled teams of the stature of India while his short spells at Bangladesh and Middlesex (five months in 2007) might go against the team’s aspirations as the think-tank gears up for the 2019 World Cup.

TOM MOODY

He had a fantastic season with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Although the side crashed out in the Eliminator, Sunrisers played brilliant cricket and were champions in 2016..

FOR: His recent success speaks for itself and with his experience is one of the best candidates.

AGAINST: In the last 17 years, foreigners have been coach for nearly 15, including John Wright, Greg Chappell, Gary Kirsten & Duncan Fletcher. However, the trend has shifted towards Indian coaches with Shastri and Kumble donning the hat.

DODDA GANESH

With just four Tests and an ODI under his belt, Ganesh might be the dark horse. He was coach of Goa from 2012 to 2016.

FOR: Besides coaching stints with Goa and junior teams at the NCA, Ganesh might be the only one in the list who would perhaps never have ego clashes with players.

AGAINST: Lack of international experience could go against him.

LALCHAND RAJPUT

He is another candidate who couldn’t make the cut last year when the CAC opted for Kumble. He is well acquainted with the coaching setup and has had successful tenures with U-19 and A teams. FOR: Although a well-known name, he isn’t of Kumble’s stature and it might be easier for him to fit into the role. Besides, his experience of coaching U-19 and A teams might work in his favour. AGAINST: While he has tasted success in his coaching career, the only international side he has managed is Afghanistan.