With Rahul Dravid revealing that he will step down as India head coach after the T20 World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been looking for a replacement.
Earlier this month, the BCCI had invited applications for the position of 'Head Coach of the Senior Men’s Team', with May 27 set as the deadline for submissions.
Over the past few days, speculation has been rife over who will take over from Dravid. Reports suggest that Dravid's former batting partner VVS Laxman, who was a frontrunner, is unlikely to leave his role at the NCA and join the team.
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Former New Zealand skipper and Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming was also a prime candidate, but he has also reportedly passed on the BCCI offer.
Has Harbhajan Singh shown interest in becoming next India coach?
A new name seemed to emerge on Tuesday. There were reports that former India spinner Harbhajan Singh had expressed interest in coaching the Indian cricket team.
The 43-year-old has not applied for the position yet and has been vague about his coaching ambition.
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"I do not know if I would apply. Coaching India is about man management not teaching players how to drive and pull," is what he told ANI. "Cricket has given me so much and If I get a chance to give it back, I would be more than happy."
What is the criteria set by the BCCI for the head coach position?
Moreover, the BCCI has set a certain criterion for applicants to the post that Harbhajan does not fulfill either.
These are the qualifications the board is looking for:
- Should have played minimum of 30 Test Matches or 50 ODI’s; or
- Head Coach of a full member Test Playing Nation, for a minimum period of 2 years; or
- Head Coach of an Associate member /IPL Team or Equivalent International League/First Class Teams/
- National A teams, for a minimum period of 3 years; or
- Should have BCCI Level 3 Certification or equivalent; and
- Should be below 60 years of age.
While 'Bhajji' had a long and successful career as an off-spin bowler for India, he hasn't achieved much in the coaching domain so far.
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