The Indian Women’s cricket team is on the verge of welcoming a new head coach as they prepare for their upcoming tour of Bangladesh. Ever since the departure of former coach Ramesh Powar in December, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not made a permanent appointment. Hrishikesh Kanitkar, the batting coach, temporarily filled in as head coach during the T20 World Cup held in South Africa earlier this year.
According to a report by PTI, Amol Muzumdar, the former coach of the South African national team and Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), is one of the front-runners for the position of head coach. He will face competition from former coach Tushar Arothe. While Muzumdar is also in talks to become the head coach of the Baroda cricket team, he is expected to attend the interview for the Indian women’s team coaching job, scheduled to take place later this month in Mumbai.
Jon Lewis, former coach of Durham, has also applied for the top job. The final candidate for the head coach position will be announced on June 30 by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), which includes Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjpe, and Sulakshana Naik.
The interviews for the head coach position will be conducted on Friday, as confirmed by a BCCI official to PTI. The decision to appoint a new coach before the Bangladesh tour comes as the team aims to address their performance in knockout matches over the past five years. The Indian women’s team has shown promise but has faced setbacks in crucial matches. With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 scheduled to take place in Bangladesh next year, the team’s focus is set on clinching the prestigious trophy.
“The interviews will be conducted on Friday,” a BCCI official told PTI.
In addition to the head coach selection for the women’s team, the CAC is also expected to appoint the chief selector for the Indian men’s team. The position has been vacant since the controversial exit of former chief selector Chetan Sharma earlier this year. Ajit Agarkar, the former Indian bowler, is considered the front-runner for the chief selector post. Interviews for the position are likely to be held on July 1, with Agarkar being viewed as the ideal candidate. If appointed, he would be the second selector from the West Zone, alongside Salil Ankola, who is currently part of the selection committee.
ICC World Cup 2023 Schedule Announced, Click Here To Check Full Schedule
Agarkar, who had a remarkable career representing Team India with 26 Tests, 191 ODIs, and 4 T20Is, is currently serving as part of the Delhi Capitals’ support staff. Should he take on the role of chief selector, he may have to relinquish his position with the IPL team.
The announcements of the new head coach for the Indian women’s team and the chief selector for the men’s team are eagerly awaited as both positions play crucial roles in shaping the future of Indian cricket.
