The Indian cricket board (BCCI) faces a daunting task in selecting a new head coach for the senior men's team, with the deadline for applications approaching. The board has reportedly shortlisted several potential candidates, including Gautam Gambhir, Stephen Fleming, Justin Langer, and Mahela Jayawardene.
However, enticing strong candidates has become challenging due to competition from the Indian Premier League (IPL). The commitment to travel with the team for 10 months a year until the 2027 ODI World Cup is a significant deterrent. All the shortlisted coaches currently hold lucrative positions with IPL franchises.
The only candidate not committed to an IPL job is VVS Laxman, the current head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA). While Laxman has reportedly expressed reluctance to take up the role, the BCCI has not ruled him out.
Sources indicate that Gambhir is currently the frontrunner on the BCCI's wish list. The former India opener has reportedly developed a good rapport with senior players in the Indian team.
The BCCI has not yet formally contacted any of the potential candidates, but discussions are expected to take place this week. The board is keen to make a decision before the end of the IPL playoffs, which are currently underway in Ahmedabad.
The appointment of a new head coach is crucial for the Indian team, which is set to embark on a busy schedule in the coming months. The team will play a series of white-ball matches against South Africa and Australia before the T20 World Cup in October.
Tags: #Cricket, #BCCI, #HeadCoach, #GautamGambhir, #StephenFleming
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