The Indian cricket board is keen to complete the coach selection process quickly once the applications are opened on July 30. It is learnt current India coach Ravi Shastri and most of his support staff will seek re-appointment.
If everything goes as per schedule, the name of the next coach should be out by mid-August—the target of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The team will be in the West Indies when the interview process is completed. Shastri and the assistant coaches are on a 45-day extension after the World Cup, when their contract ended.
The application process is still on. The candidates will have to mail applications to BCCI on a locked ID, which will only be opened on deadline day (July 30). That will prevent the names of applicants being leaked, unless the candidate reveals it.
There was speculation whether Shastri will be interested in returning to TV commentary, a relatively less stressful job. However, early indications to the Board are that he is keen for an extension. Skipper Virat Kohli is expected to back him due to their strong working relationship.
BCCI will scrutinise the applications after the July 30 deadline and call the short-listed candidates for presentation and interview.
Among the other names expected to apply are Tom Moody (for chief coach), Pravin Amre (batting coach) and Jonty Rhodes (fielding coach). Moody applied the last time too and made a highly impressive presentation.
