The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has begun the search for India’s next head coach as Rahul Dravid‘s tenure is set to end after the upcoming T20 World Cup in June. Reports indicate that Ricky Ponting, currently coaching Delhi Capitals in the IPL, is a leading candidate to replace Dravid.
Dravid, who has decided not to reapply for the position to focus more on his family, has been a pivotal figure in India’s coaching setup. VVS Laxman, head coach at the National Cricket Academy, is also unlikely to apply, with the BCCI showing little interest in changing the NCA’s structure.
Ponting, with his coaching experience at Delhi Capitals since 2018 and previously with Mumbai Indians, where he led them to an IPL title in 2015, is familiar with Indian cricket. His potential appointment has been informally discussed with the BCCI. Another contender is Stephen Fleming, the head coach of Chennai Super Kings, but responses from his side have been lukewarm. The demanding schedule, requiring the coach to be with the team for about 10 months a year, is a major consideration.
If Ponting or Fleming is appointed, it would mark a return to having a foreign head coach for the Indian team, a trend that has previously brought success. John Wright and Gary Kirsten are notable examples, with Kirsten guiding India to the 2011 ODI World Cup title after a 28-year wait. The deadline for coach applications is May 27, making the upcoming weeks crucial for Indian cricket.
The selection of India’s next head coach will be a significant decision, with the chosen candidate expected to lead the team through a packed international schedule and major tournaments in the coming years.
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