The BCCI on Monday (May 13) invited fresh applications for the post of head coach for the senior Indian men's team.
Rahul Dravid is currently serving as the chief coach and his term expires after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA next month.
With multiple reports suggesting that Dravid is unlikely to re-apply, it looks certain that the Indian team will have a new coach at the helm post the T20 World Cup 2024.
According to reports, VVS Laxman is also not keen on taking up the role as his involvement with the national team will disrupt the proceedings at the NCA. As a result, the BCCI finds itself in a tough spot.
Numerous names have popped up to succeed Dravid. Former Australia coach Justin Langer on Tuesday (May 14) expressed his curiousness about the job, while a report published in The Indian Express claimed that the BCCI has unofficially reached out to CSK coach Stephen Fleming.
Apparently, the board wants to sign an overseas coach this time around, which was frowned upon for years.
Meanwhile, another name that has been doing the rounds is none other than the legendary Ricky Ponting – who led Australia to unprecedented heights during his captaincy tenure.
As per a RevSportz report, Ponting has been approached by the BCCI. Akin to Fleming, the Aussie great may give this a pass since a coach has to be on the road right through the year. Being the coach of the Indian cricket team is a daunting task, and more so in this case as Dravid's successor will remain in charge until the 2027 World Cup.
In the past, Ponting had revealed that the BCCI had shown interest in snapping him up for the high-profile role but he couldn’t accept the offer because of a young family, a factor that could also act as an obstacle this time around.
Ricky Ponting, who boasts a successful coaching stint with Delhi Capitals since 2018, has prior experience with Mumbai Indians, aiding them to an IPL title in 2015. He has previously worked with Australia in different capacities, serving as their assistant coach during the 2019 World Cup and batting consultant on several occasions.
Earlier this year, Ponting also landed another coaching gig with USA's Major League Cricket franchise, Washington Freedom.
Notably, the Indian team has had notable successes with foreign coaches like John Wright and Gary Kirsten. However, the preference shifted towards Indian coaches following an unsuccessful stint with Duncan Fletcher.
After Fletcher’s departure, Ravi Shastri had multiple stints with the national team as head coach followed by Rahul Dravid’s appointment in 2021.
