NEW DELHI: VVS Laxman, the head of the National Cricket Academy and former India great, appears to be a strong contender to succeed
Rahul Dravid
as the chief coach of the men's national team if Dravid opts not to reapply for the position.
BCCI
secretary
Jay Shah
has dismissed the idea of having separate coaches for red and white ball formats, indicating a need for a single candidate who will be extensively traveling for the majority of the next three and a half years.
Dravid, whose contract concludes after the T20 World Cup, retains the option to reapply for the role.
However, with the BCCI inviting applications until May 27, a day after the IPL final, it appears that the board is inclined towards appointing a new and fresh face for the position.
Take a look at some of the big names who could be interested in applying for the post.
VVS Laxman:
If he applies for the top post, Laxman will be a runaway favourite. The 49-year-old has been NCA's head for past three years and is overseeing the development of next batch of Indian cricketers through board's pathways system (India A and India U19).
He has also had experience of coaching the senior team when Dravid was in leave. The Indian team under his guidance played in the Asian Games, bilateral T20s versus Australia at home and away series in England, New Zealand and Ireland.
With the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami still around for at least two more years, Laxman with his cricketing acumen and genial demeanour could be the bridge between old and new in Indian cricket.
"Must be willing to meet work expectations and pressures associated with handling marquee athletes," is one of the job requirements and who better than Laxman, who shares great rapport with the current batch.
Gautam Gambhir:
Among those who have played top flight cricket in the last 10 years and saw formats evolve, Gambhir's tactical nous cannot be ignored. Two IPL titles as captain with KKR, back-to-back play-offs with LSG in their first two years, Gambhir has always been praised for his man management skills.
Under him, a rejuvenated KKR are back in play-offs but a proud man that he is, will Gambhir apply on his own if he isn't sent feelers by the BCCI top brass? Also, his deep emotional attachment with KKR and a personal bond with principal owner Shah Rukh Khan could stop him from applying.
The other aspect is the person that he is -- a strong minded individual who would love a free hand. Virat Kohli will also be around for the better part of the next three years and given the history between both of them, it could be a rocky terrain. But it must be mentioned that Gambhir and current skipper Rohit Sharma share a terrific relationship.
Justin Langer:
Ashes and T20 World Cup winning Australian coach is a good tactician but also a strict disciplinarian.
In a recent interview, Langer did say that he is not averse to giving it a thought but being an India coach could be both mentally and physically demanding.
The same perks are always available in the IPL, working just for two months a year. If Dravid doesn't reapply, the most important series would be the one Down Under and who better than 'JL' to provide some inside information about his 'home team'.
Gambhir or Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra have proved their coaching abilities in white ball cricket but not in the longest format.
(With PTI inputs)
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