BIG Changes in Team India coach selection process: BCCI keen to keep Captain out of it & avoid 2017 repeat

In a departure from what had transpired a few years ago, this time, the Team India skipper won’t have any say in the selection of the Indian cricket team’s new head coach, as per sources. This comes after the events of 2017 when Anil Kumble left the position prematurely and Virat Kohli was said to have a say in the process of selecting his successor. 

The final decision will be taken by a steering committee headed by ‘83 World Cup skipper Kapil Dev, with approval from the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), the sources added.

A BCCI official said that last time Kohli had expressed difficulties the team faced with the former coach and hence was part of the selection procedure. The official added, however, that this time around, Kohli will not even remotely be part of the process and the decision will be taken by Kapil Dev’s committee and CoA.  

In another change, the Head Coach will not have a say in selecting his support staff, which is generally practiced for better team building. The BCCI official said that if the coach is selected before the support staff then he might have a say in the process. 

The Team India coaching setup currently comprises Ravi Shastri, bowling coach Bharat Arun, batting coach Sanjay Bangar and fielding coach R Sridhar, and they have been given a 45-day extension following the World Cup, covering the West Indies tour from August 3 to September 3. After the West Indies tour, India's home season kicks off with the series against South Africa beginning September 15.  

READ | BCCI To Invite Fresh Applications For Team India Support Staff, Ravi Shastri Will have To Re-apply To Be Team Coach

Shastri was appointed India chief coach in 2017 after Anil Kumble's tenure ended in controversial circumstances. The 57-year-old was also India's director of Cricket from August 2014 to June 2016. However, India has not won a major ICC event under his guidance although the team did make history by winning a maiden Test series in Australia earlier this year.

For all positions, the BCCI has done away with a direct appointment and is following an application-based recruitment process.

READ | No Automatic Extension For Ravi Shastri, Team India's World Cup Exit To Necessitate Re-application For Head Coach Position