BCCI official: Fresh recruitment to be held for head coach after World Cup

Ravi Shastri’s contract does not have a clause for its renewal or extension.

The contracts of Sanjay Bangar (left), Ravi Shastri (centre), Bharat Arun (right) and R. Sridhar are to end at the conclusion of India's World Cup campaign.

Ravi Shastri remains favourite to continue as the head coach of the Indian team after the World Cup, but will have to go through a fresh recruitment process for a new stint, according to a senior BCCI official.

Shastri’s contract, which ends at the conclusion of India's World Cup campaign, does not have a clause for its renewal or extension.

“From Anil Kumble’s time, the service contract of the coaches and support staff doesn’t have an extension or renewal clause. Therefore, even if India win the World Cup under Shastri’s coaching, he will have to come through the fresh recruitment process even though he will be a direct entry into the shortlisted panel as current coach,” the BCCI official, privy to the development, told PTI on the condition of anonymity.

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According to the official, the Board needs to follow the due process of putting up an advertisement on its website for the role.

Besides Shastri, Sanjay Bangar (batting coach), Bharat Arun (bowling coach) and R. Sridhar (fielding coach) will have to go through the process, too. “Shastri, Sanjay Bangar, Bharat Arun and R. Sridhar — their contracts will end with India’s last match in the World Cup. With only 14 days left for the inaugural World Test Championship matches against the [Windies], we need to complete the process in due time. But everything will happen after the World Cup,” he said.

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If the Indian team makes it to the semifinals of the event, Shastri is unlikely to be replaced, believes the official. Under Shastri, the team has enjoyed success across formats — the highlights being the ODI series wins in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and a Test series win in Australia for the first time.

‘Mini-IPL’ for women

Meanwhile, for women, a ‘mini-IPL’ for women will be held this year, revealed the official. There will be three teams and four matches in the tourney.

“The Indian women’s coach W. V. Raman and the national selectors have given 30 names, and there will be 12 foreign players. So there will be three teams of 14 players each and they will play once against each other and then the final,” the official confirmed.