The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the opening for applications for the position of men’s national team head coach. The tenure for this role will commence on July 1, 2024, and will extend until December 31, 2027, coinciding with the year of the next 50-over Cricket World Cup. Rahul Dravid, the current head coach, received an extension until June due to India’s inability to secure the ICC Cricket World Cup last November, which marked the finals. The upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, scheduled from June 1 to 29 in the West Indies and the USA, also aligns with this timeframe. The application deadline is May 27 at 6 PM IST.
The selection process involves a comprehensive review of applications, followed by personal interviews and assessments of shortlisted candidates. BCCI has specified qualifications for potential head coaches, including a minimum of 30 Test Matches or 50 ODIs played, or experience as head coach of a full member Test playing nation for at least 2 years. Additionally, candidates must have BCCI Level 3 Certification or equivalent and be below 60 years of age.
India’s T20 World Cup campaign places them in Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and co-hosts USA. They kick off their campaign against Ireland on June 5 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York, followed by a highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on June 9 at the same venue. Subsequent matches against the USA and Canada are scheduled for June 12 and 15, respectively. The India squad includes Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), and other prominent players, with Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, and Avesh Khan serving as reserves.