Reports: Ravi Shastri to return to commentary or IPL, Vikram Rathour eyeing head coach position

A few days back,  the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah had invited applicants for various positions for the senior men’s team such as head coach, batting, bowling fielding coaches, and a head for sports science and medicine at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The BCCI has given a deadline till October 26 for batting coach and November 3 as the deadline for various other posts.

It is to be noted that the incumbent head coach Ravi Shastri has stated his desire to relinquish the post after the culmination of the T20 World Cup.  It has also come to light that Rahul Dravid is certain to take over from Shastri.  The remaining roles are yet to be finalized and the BCCI has laid out the criteria for the same.

“Applications for the position of head coach (team India- Senior Men) should be submitted by 5 PM on October 26, applications for the position of batting coach (team India- Senior Men) should be submitted by 5 PM on November 03, 2021, and applications for the position of bowling coach (Team India- Senior Men) should be submitted by 5 PM on November 03, 2021,” According to the Times of India.

All the coaches will be given a contract for two years with the criteria being below 60 years of age for all the roles except the role of sports science and medicine. With Ravi Shastri, Arun, and R Sridhar walking away after the T20 World Cup, the position of batting coach is still vacant. But if reports are to be believed, then Vikram Rathour has decided to stay with the team for two years.

He joined the team in 2019 and has so far done a good job with the team. He has plagued the middle-order problems and has allowed players to express themselves. Rathour may apply for the head coach role due to his good understanding and rapport with the players.

Ravi Shastri wants to slow down a bit

On the other hand, Shastri wants to slow down a bit and is ready to take a backseat after donning several roles for the past 42 years. “He’ll be selective. He’ll be open to working with an IPL franchise. Year-round travel is something he would like to avoid now,” say those who have his ear. Shastri can also return to commentary if he wishes to rejoin. “He’ll be welcomed with a red carpet. Tell me a voice that is more identifiable than his.”