Less than 48 hours after top Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials more or less convinced Rahul Dravid to apply for the post of Team India head coach in Dubai, the board invited applications for the senior team’s coaching staff on its website.
The former India captain had sought a few days time but the BCCI brass is confident he won’t turn down the offer this time. It is learnt that there has been no formal communication thereafter, but it is assumed that he will apply before the deadline ends on October 26.
“He has informally told us that he is not averse to working with the senior national side. He just needed to talk to his family. Several issues he was sceptical about were settled and there is nothing left to debate,” a source told The Telegraph.
Once Dravid applies, the BCCI is unlikely to look beyond him. It will be a two-year term and Dravid will take charge immediately after the T20 World Cup, beginning with the home series against New Zealand on November 17.
The BCCI was forced to persuade Dravid to take up the role after failing to find a suitable replacement for current head coach Ravi Shastri. Anil Kumble wasn’t considered because of past controversies while Virender Sehwag or VVS Laxman lack the much-needed experience.
Several former overseas cricketers, including Kolkata Knight Riders head coach Brendon McCullum, have shown interest but the Board wants and Indian to be in charge of the team.
Besides the head coach, the BCCI has also invited applications for the post of batting coach, bowling coach, fielding coach, and head sports science/medicine with the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The deadline for applying for the rest of the positions, except head coach, is November 3.
Dravid is currently heading the NCA and has been in charge of India A and under-19 national teams, leading the latter to the World Cup title in 2018. Before applying for the head coach’s job, Dravid will have to resign from his NCA post.
While the process to have the new coaching staff in place has begun, the BCCI will also need to have a Cricket Advisory Committee in place before the applications are shortlisted and the candidates interviewed.
While Paras Mhambrey, bowling consultant at the NCA as well as the India A and under-19 teams, is the favourite to be the bowling coach, current batting coach Vikram Rathour could get an extension if he chooses to reapply.
“The successful candidate will be responsible for developing a world class Indian cricket team which delivers sustained success in all conditions and formats, inspiring current and future generations of cricketers and stakeholders with their approach to the game,” states the advertisement.
“The head coach will work with the head of National Cricket Academy to formulate a developmental plan for the upskilling players who are not a part of the national team as and when possible.
“The head coach in conjunction with head cricket NCA will formulate a policy for development of players, which is to be communicated to all first-class teams, so that the first-class coaches are aware of the parameters required to succeed at the international level.”