Report Reveals Ricky Ponting and Ex-India Pacer in Running for Team India Head Coach Job in IPL

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is on the lookout for a new head coach for the men’s cricket team as Rahul Dravid’s tenure is set to end after the T20 World Cup 2024. Dravid, who has reportedly been reluctant to re-apply for the position, is ready to step down regardless of the team’s performance in the tournament.

With the coaching role requiring the individual to be with the team for approximately ten months due to the busy schedule, the BCCI is exploring various options. While South Africa, Pakistan, and England have divided coaching responsibilities between red-ball and white-ball cricket, India does not have distinct player groups for the two formats, leading the BCCI to seek a single head coach.

Speculation initially pointed towards VVS Laxman as Dravid’s successor, but sources have confirmed that Laxman is not interested in applying and will continue with the India ‘A’ team. Other contenders for the position include former Australian cricketer Justin Langer, along with Indian veterans like Stephen Fleming, Gautam Gambhir, and Ashish Nehra.

Gambhir, who recently returned to Kolkata Knight Riders after a stint with Lucknow Super Giants, and Nehra, the head coach of Gujarat Titans, have both expressed interest in coaching the Indian team. Ponting, currently the head coach of Washington Freedom in the USA, is also a front-runner for the position.

With the deadline for applications set for May 27, the BCCI faces a challenging decision-making process as they look to find the best candidate to lead the Indian cricket team post-Dravid’s tenure. The upcoming T20 World Cup and subsequent series against Zimbabwe add to the urgency of the situation, making the selection of the new head coach a crucial decision for Indian cricket.