Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Vijay Mohanraj apply for India job

Former Indian batsman Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Vijay Mohanraj joined the fray to become India’s next head coach. Reportedly, both former cricketers have submitted their application to the BCCI.

Apart from Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Vijay Mohanraj, former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad, national selection committee chairman Sandeep Patil has also applied for the role. Former all-rounder Ravi Shastri, who was team director for India during the World T20, has also applied for the role and is one of the favorites to be selected.

Kanitkar, who has played two Test matches and a handful of ODIs for India, is famously known for leading Rajasthan to a Ranji Trophy triumph in 2011. Kanitkar has handful mount of coaching experience as well. He was appointed as an assistant coach of the Kochi Tuskers Kerala for the 2011 IPL but quit due to disputes with the owners. Kanitkar also served as coach of the Goa Ranji team in the 2015-2016 season.

Vijay Mohanraj, who played for Mumbai and Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy from 1976 to 1988, also has considerable coaching experience. He as the coach and selector of the Hyderabad Ranji team after his retirement in 1988 and worked as a manager for the Deccan Chargers during the 2008 IPL season.

The BCCI had advertised for the post of national team head coach on 1 June after the post had been vacant since Duncan Fletcher’s contract ended after the 2015 World Cup. The board had a nine-point checklist for the appointment of a coach including a desire for a Hindi speaking coach. The BCCI are also looking for a candidate who does not have a controversial character.

Team India had effectively functioned without a proper coach after Ravi Shastri was appointed the team director after Duncan Fletcher’s contract expired. Sanjay Bangar, Bharat Arun and R Sridhar were the batting, bowling and fielding coaches.

The selection procedure is expected to be completed on or before 24 June, which is the date of the BCCI Working Committee meeting scheduled in Dharamsala.