New Delhi: Team India's new coach will be decided ahead of the Bangladesh series in June this year, BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur told India TV in an exclusive interview today.
Thakur also hinted at appointing an Indian for the job. Apart from this BCCI is also taking into the account the records of probable foreign coaches.
“ODI captain MS Dhoni and test captain Virat Kohli will have the last word in the appointment of the new coach who will be selected keeping in mind 2019 ICC World Cup to be held in England,”he added.
BCCI will finalise the coach in the first week of June as India is scheduled to play its only test on June 10 in Fatullah.
Also read: Bangladesh to host India in June for one Test, three ODIs
Sanjay Bangar who performed well as coach with Kings XI Punjab in IPL last year and Ravi Shastri who has been working as Team Manager since England tour are the leading names among the probable Indian candidates. Bharat Arun and Ajit Wadekar are also in fray for the job.
Interestingly, Wadekar had been the most successful Indian coach with a winning percentage of 58.82 in 68 ODIs from 1992-1996. Only Gary Kirsten with 63.44 % in 93 ODIs and Duncan Fletcher with 59.81% in 107 ODIs are ahead of him.
“We are looking for a long term coach. Proper planning is needed to be done in the view of Champions Trophy in 2017 and World Cup in 2019,” Thakur said.
Among the foreign names, Michael Hussey, Tom Moody and Andy Flower are in contention for cricket's toughest job.
Andy Flower was associated with England for 5 years and is also a three times Ashes winning coach. He also played an important role in England victory in 2010 World T20.
Michael Hussey has a rich experience of 9 years while playing for Australia having an average of over 50 in tests. Even MS Dhoni also suggested his name some time back.
Former Sri Lankan coach, Tom Moody who is currently serving as Sunrisers Hyderabad coach in IPL is also among the favorites.
Former Indian cricketer Yashpal Sharma speaking to India TV said the coach should be an Indian now and captains of both the format will play a major role.
“If BCCI decides for the foreign coach then I will suggest the name of Tom Moody because he stays away from controversies and invokes confidence among the players,” he said.
Among the Indians, Sharma suggested the name of Ravi Shastri. “After performing his job as a team director, Shastri should be made a full-time coach while Sanjay Bangar and Bharat Arun should also be among the officials,” he said.
No matter who the coach will be, the biggest challenge for him would be to improve the record on foreign tours.
