Considering the ECB had appointed Trevor Bayliss as Peter Moores’ successor in barely two weeks, ESPNcricinfo tries to dissect the delay in the appointment of India’s new coach

Amol Karhadkar and Nagraj Gollapudi26-May-20154:16

Ugra: Ganguly keen on team director job

Duncan Fletcher’s chequered term as India’s head coach ended with their World Cup semi-final loss to Australia almost two months ago. His authority diminished towards the end of his stint with Ravi Shastri’s appointment as team director.With another grueling season awaiting India, starting with a tour to Bangladesh next month and culminating with the World Twenty20 in 2016, there has been no official word on Fletcher’s successor.While it is understood that the BCCI is trying to rejig the structure of the team’s support staff, there has been no official word. After discussing the vacant coach position in detail with BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya, secretary Anurag Thakur said that the support staff for the Bangladesh tour “will be announced before June 6”.Considering the ECB appointed Trevor Bayliss as Peter Moores’ successor in barely two weeks, ESPNcricinfo tries to dissect the delay in the appointment of India’s new coach.Why is there a delay in appointing a head coach?
The change of administration in the BCCI is a key factor, since the previous regime under the deposed president N Srinivasan had set the ball rolling to find a replacement for Fletcher.Are they looking for a head coach and a team director as well?
It is still not clear whether the BCCI wants to fill both positions, or just one of them. The popular perception in the board is that a team director aided by three assistant coaches would serve the purpose. The position of team director was created for the first time when former India allrounder Ravi Shastri was appointed after India’s defeat in the England Tests. Shastri had agreed to continue in the role as an interim arrangement till the end of the World Cup.How are the two roles different?
In the six-month period when they functioned together, head coach Fletcher was in charge of preparing the team for matches. Team director Shastri was more of a facilitator between the players, the coach, the selectors and the BCCI. Most of his work was in the background, but he was responsible for the overall performance of the team.The popular perception in the BCCI is that a team director, with three assistant coaches, would work best for the Indian team•Getty ImagesWho are the contenders for the team director’s role?
Sourav Ganguly and Ravi Shastri are definitely in the fray, along with a few undisclosed overseas candidates.It is understood Shastri has the confidence of the players, who were happy with his open approach. There is no clarity on whether the BCCI has approached him or whether Shastri himself wants to carry on in the long term at the cost of his media assignments. It is understood that Ganguly has the backing of the BCCI, but the man himself said in Kolkata he would talk about it “once we get to it”.One hurdle facing BCCI and Ganguly is he is also secretary of Cricket Association of Bengal and heavily involved in its day-to-day administration. Ganguly also has lucrative contracts with various media houses and if he does pick up the team director’s role, would he have to forsake his other commitments is a question BCCI needs to workout.And the candidates for the head coach?
Since it is still not clear if the BCCI would prefer a head coach along with team director, no names have emerged so far.Has the BCCI set a deadline for the appointment(s)?
Not really. The BCCI is prepared to wait until it finds the most suitable people. That India’s next two assignments – a tour to Bangladesh in June to be followed by a limited-overs series in Zimbabwe in July – are low key gives them time to scan for the best candidate. If the new coach/ team director is not finalised before the team’s departure to Dhaka on June 7, then the BCCI may well send a support staff consisting of three assistant coaches without a chief. Or they might request Shastri to continue in the team director’s role for another series.Who are involved in selecting the head coach?
BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya and secretary Anurag Thakur are the two main decision-makers. They are understood to have sought inputs from some former India captains including Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar and Shastri himself to help them shortlist the candidates. The two captains – Dhoni (ODI and Twenty20 captain) and Virat Kohli (Test) – would suggest some names as well and are expected to play prominent roles in the process.What happens to the current support staff?
The pair of assistant coaches Sanjay Bangar and B Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar await message from the BCCI about their future.