BCCI invites names for India coach job

The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Sunday set June 10 as deadline for applications for the post of Team India coach.

“We will advertise for the post of coach and anyone can apply to the BCCI by June 10. This is also another way of maintaining transparency,” said Anurag Thakur, who on Sunday became the 34th president of the Indian board.

Former India cricketer Ravi Shastri has been operating as team director since the tour of England in 2014. During his tenure, India won the Test series against Sri Lanka, South Africa and excelled in Twenty20 internationals. His contract came to an end with the conclusion of the recent ICC World Twenty20 in March and April.

“Shastri and the support staff have done well,” said Thakur. “We will have to take every step to make India the number one team in all formats.”

Teams to be announced today Focus is likely to be on IPL performers Krunal Pandya and Karun Nair when the teams for the short tour of Zimbabwe and the West Indies-bound Test team will be announced here on Monday.

India will tour Zimbabwe for a one-day series come June 11 but there is no clarity yet on the skipper or coach. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the limited-overs skipper, has the option to skip the series.

“After the IPL final on May 29, we will announce as to who will go to Zimbabwe as the support staff,” Thakur said.

On the delay in hiring a coach, Thakur said, “If one has to go for the best, one cannot go with limited choices. We will soon decide who could be the best for BCCI looking at the applications.”

The board will also take a call on the position of team director — if it is retained — once the applications arrive for the coach’s job.