BCCI will call applications for head coach role, Rahul Dravid can apply: Jay Shah
The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India)will soon begin the hunt for the new head coach for the men’s team with the incumbent coach Rahul Dravid’s tenure ending in June.
While revealing the information, Secretary Jay Shah stated that Dravid could also apply for the role and didn’t rule out the possibility of hiring a foreign coach as well.
Other members of the coaching staff such as batting, bowling and fielding coaches will be appointed after the consultation with the new coach. Notably, Dravid’s contract was extended in November 2023 till the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 scheduled to begin in the West Indies and USA from June 02.
“Rahul’s tenure is only up to June. So if he wants to apply, he is free to do so. We cannot determine whether the new coach will be Indian or foreign. It will be up to the CAC, and we are a global body,” Jay Shah said as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Further speaking ahead, Shah shared his opinion about the much talked about impact player rule in the Indian Premier League which has aided free stroke play in the ongoing edition and allowed teams to post humongous totals. Speaking about the rule, Shah stated that it has allowed more Indian players to get an opportunity to play in the league. He also added that the board will discuss with all the parties involved before discontinuing the rule which he said was ‘not permanent’.
Impact player was a test case: Jay Shah
“Impact player was a test case. Two new Indian players are getting a chance in the IPL. We will discuss with the stakeholders – franchises and broadcasters – before deciding on the continuation of the Impact Player. It’s not permanent, but no one has provided feedback against the rule,” he added.
Shah also ruled out the possibility of having different coaches for different formats.
“That decision will also be made by the CAC. There are many all-format players, like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant, among others. Moreover, there is no precedent for such a situation in India,” he added.
Shah also quashed the reports of revival of the Champions League T20 but revealed that there might be discussions of holding the next final of the World Test Championship (WTC) outside of England. He also added that all-rounder Hardik Pandya who’s been added in Grade A in Central Contracts will be playing white-ball domestic cricket.
The BCCI secretary also disclosed that the domestic cricket structure will be unveiled soon and the High-Performance Centre at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru will be functional from August.