BCCI to invite men’s head coach applications next week
The appointment process for the head coach of India’s men’s cricket team is set to begin in the coming week. Jay Shah, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, conrmed incumbent Rahul Dravid can reapply if he wants his tenure extended.
“We will call for applications in the next few days. Dravid’s tenure is coming to an end in June. If he wants to reapply, he can,” Shah said during an interaction at the BCCI headquarters.
Dravid, who took over in November 2021, was handed a short-term extension till the T20 World Cup after his two-year contract expired at the end of India’s loss in the nal of the ODI World Cup last November. Shah conrmed the new head coach will be o ered to take charge till the ODI World Cup in 2027.
No split coaches
The BCCI is unlikely to opt for a split coaching role for the limited-over formats and Tests.
“We are looking for a long-term coach, for three years,” Shah said. “There is no precedent of di erent coaches for di erent formats in Indian cricket. Besides, we have a number of all-format players.
“Ultimately, it will be the Cricket Advisory Committee’s (CAC’s) call. I have to implement what they decide. If the CAC selects a foreign coach, I can’t interfere.”
Even before the head coach applications are invited, the three-member CAC — headed by former
Jay Shah.
batter Ashok Malhotra — includes Jatin Paranjape and Sulakshana Naik — will have to nalise the longpending appointment of a national selector. “A few interviews for the selector's post have already happened. The CAC will meet in a week’s time to nalise the name and we will announce it soon,” Shah said.
The Hindu understands that domestic stalwart
Mithun Manhas and former India o -spinner Nikhil Chopra are the main contenders to join the Ajit Agarkar-chaired panel.
Shah stated that the uproar over the Impact Player rule in the IPL, introduced in the 2023 edition, will be discussed with various stakeholders after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup in June.
“The Impact Player rule was brought in as a test case. On the bright side, it is providing additional playing opportunities to two Indian players in every match,” Shah said.
“We will consult with the franchise captains, players, franchises and broadcasters and then decide about the future course.
“It’s neither a permanent rule nor am I saying we will move past it.”