WV Raman among eight candidates shortlisted for India head coach job

Sportstar reported on Wednesday (May 12). Board’s Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) has interviewed Raman, Powar, Kanitkar and Ratra on Wednesday and rest of the candidates from the short list will be interviewed on Thursday. It will be followed by the announcement of the new coach.

CAC consisting of Madan Lal, Sulakshana Naik and RP Singh have the task of interviewing and selecting the applicant for the job. In the absence of Singh, who couldn’t be part of the panel on account of his father’s death, Lal and Naik interviewed the four candidates after making the eight-people short list from the 35 people applied.

As per the report, incumbent coach Raman is the front runner for the job. He was appointed in the post in 2019 replacing Powar after the latter took India to the T20 World Cup 2018 in West Indies. Raman, who was in charge when India reached the final of T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia, was given an extension to be in charge of the side for the home series against South Africa in March after his contract was expired in October last year. Other support staff’s contracts were also expired and was extended for the series. Kanitkar and Ratra have worked with India men’s Under-19 and A sides while also working in National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore.

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The deadline for the application was April 26, with the governing body looking to restart India ‘A’ programs for the women’s side, it was stated that the coach will also be responsible for looking after the A teams, Under-19 sides and players at the NCA. The new reforms that came in place after the Lodha committee mandates selectors to to be in charge of picking the support staff. Selection committee chaired by Neetu David is expected to select the support personnel ahead of the England tour.

On April 12, it was announced by England Wales Cricket Board (ECB) that India will play 1 Test, three ODIs and three T20Is during the England tour starting on June 16. India will be playing a Test for the first time since 2014. The team is expected to leave for England in early June, the selection for which is also reportedly hasn’t been taken place.