CAC have their task cut out with only 7 applicants for India head coach post

A lot of things has changed since last year. The hunt for the new India head coach has begun and the Chief Advisory Committee (CAC) has started reviewing the applications that have come in for the same. Reportedly, there are only 7 applicants for the post this year until now. The deadline for the applications is July 9. Last year when the BCCI had invited the applications for the post, there were as many as 57 applicants.

Now, seeing only 7 come to the fore this time has certainly made things a lot easier for the CAC. The Chief Advisory Committee comprises of three stalwarts of the Indian cricket – Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, and VVS Laxman. Considering the fact that there are only 7 applicants, one might wonder that it would be easy for the CAC to review the presentations and applications.

However, truth be told, a greater challenge lies ahead. It is very much clear that the Indian skipper Virat Kohli wants Ravi Shastri back as the coach of the Indian team. Shastri was with the Indian team as the team director for a brief while during India’s tour to Australia last year and the ICC World T20. He had subsequently applied for the post of the head coach as well.

He was seen as the forerunner for the job but a last moment entry of Anil Kumble saw the CAC ruling the decision in Kumble’s favor. As the things stand out now, the fall out between Kohli and Kumble is a clear indication that the Indian skipper has to be kept in the loop while choosing the new coach. As per the quotes in Times of India, Shastri identifies with the players as individuals and the players feel very comfortable under him. Hence, they all want him back at the helm.

Shastri identifies with the players as individuals

“Ravi talks for the cricketers. He doesn’t handle them with kid gloves. When he’s with them, he becomes one among them. That’s what they like about him. There’s a great amount of freedom to express and if that’s what works for the team, then why not?” quoted the individual.

Well, it will be interesting to see who the eventual coach would be. The contenders for the time being are – Tom Moody, Richard Pybus, Lalchand Rajput, Virender Sehwag, Dodda Ganesh, Venkatesh Prasad and Ravi Shastri.