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With Rahul Dravid's tenure as head coach ending after the T20 World Cup 2024, the BCCI is set to appoint a new coach for Team India. The board recently invited applications for the position. Amidst this process, reports emerged claiming that the BCCI had offered the head coach role to Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer, which BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has now denied.
Jay Shah's Statement
Jay Shah clarified, "Neither I nor the BCCI has approached any former Australian player. The news circulating in some media channels is completely false." He further stated that the BCCI is focusing on finding candidates who have a deep understanding of domestic cricket.
Focus on Domestic Understanding
Shah emphasized, "Finding the right coach for our national team is a careful and thorough process. We are focusing on identifying individuals who have a deep understanding of the Indian cricket structure and have risen through the ranks." He noted that a strong grasp of Indian domestic cricket is crucial for the new coach to take Team India to the next level.
Langer and Ponting's Claims
Recently, both Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting revealed that they had been offered the head coach position by the BCCI but declined the offer. Shah's statement, however, contradicts their claims, dismissing the reports as inaccurate.
Gautam Gambhir in the Race
Former opener Gautam Gambhir is also considered a potential candidate for the head coach position. Reports suggest that the BCCI has discussed the role with Gambhir, who is currently serving as a mentor for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL. Under his mentorship, KKR reached the finals. Previously, Gambhir was associated with Lucknow Super Giants as a mentor for two years before returning to KKR in IPL 2024.
Single Coach for All Formats
Jay Shah recently confirmed that there will not be separate coaches for different formats. The BCCI is looking for one coach to handle all three formats for a tenure of 3.5 years. With Dravid's term ending post the T20 World Cup, he will need to reapply for the position. The application deadline set by the BCCI is May 27.
The BCCI's search for the next head coach continues, with the focus on appointing someone with substantial knowledge and experience in Indian domestic cricket to guide Team India to new heights.
