Ever since the BCCI invited applications for the post of head coach of the Indian men’s senior cricket team, many names have been doing the rounds to replace Rahul Dravid. Rahul Dravid’s tenure comes to an end after the ICC T20 World Cup in America and West Indies. Rahul Dravid is not willing to extend his tenure and in such a situation the board has started a vigorous search for a head coach.
The first name in the race for the head coach post of Team India was Stephen Fleming, who is currently the head coach of Chennai Super Kings. Some reports claimed that the board had even held a first round of informal talks with Fleming. Since then the race has had many names. Recently Gautam Gambhir was claimed to be the board’s first choice. On Thursday, the ICC quoted former Australian captain and part of Delhi Capitals’ coaching set-up, Ricky Ponting, as saying that he had also been approached. Apart from this, Justin Langer’s name has also been tossed in the race.
The ICC quoted Ricky Ponting as saying, “I have seen a lot of reports about this. Usually these things come out on social media before you know it, but there were some small personal conversations during the IPL. To know that. ” From me whether I will or not.”
According to the ICC, Ricky Ponting went on to say, “I would love to be the senior coach of the national team, but I have other things in my life and I want to spend some time at home… Everyone knows that you, as an Indian cricketer, work with the team. You can’t join an IPL team, so that would be taken out of it, also, being a national head coach is a 10 or 11 month job a year, and as much as I want to do it, it’s my lifestyle right now and the things I really enjoy doing. It doesn’t fit in.”
Now Jay Shah has exposed this claim of Ricky Ponting. Jay Shah has said that neither he nor anyone from the BCCI has contacted the former Australian cricketer. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has formally dismissed recent reports that the board has approached former Australian cricketers for the post of head coach.
Jay Shah issued a statement on Friday clarifying that there was no truth to the rumours, and reiterated that the BCCI had not approached any former Australian player for the coaching role. The BCCI had invited applications for Dravid’s successor on May 13, with a deadline of May 27. The next head coach of India will be appointed for the period from July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2027.
Questioning Ricky Ponting’s claim, the BCCI secretary said, “Neither I nor the BCCI have approached any former Australian cricketer for a coaching offer. The reports circulating in some sections of the media are completely false.”
Jai Shah further said, “Finding the right coach for the national team is a long process. We are looking for someone who has a deep understanding of the structure of Indian cricket and has reached the top with his skills.” Jai Shah further said, “We have focused on identifying individuals who have a deep understanding of the Indian cricket structure and have moved up through the ranks. It is important to take Team India to the next level that our coaches have an in-depth understanding of us. Knowledge is the local cricket structure.”