To be coach, Rahul Dravid must apply by October 26

New Delhi, October 17

With reports emerging that Rahul Dravid would be offered the job of the Indian cricket team’s head coach, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) has invited applications for the posts of the team’s head coach, batting coach and bowling coach. The BCCI has also invited applications for the posts of the team’s fielding coach and sports science/medicine head at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.

With current head coach Ravi Shastri’s term ending at the conclusion of the Twenty20 World Cup in mid-November, the team is certain to get a new coach as Shastri is ineligible to reapply for the post due to age restrictions for the top job.

“BCCI invites job applications for Team India (Senior Men) and NCA (National Cricket Academy),” a statement issued by the BCCI today said. The last date for the submission of applications for the post of the head coach is October 26. For the other positions, the last date for submitting applications is November 3.

With Dravid reported to have agreed in principle to accept the job, he would have to first go through the formal application procedure so that due process is followed.

It was reported that former Australian captain Ricky Ponting too was approached by the BCCI for the top job but he is supposed to have turned down the offer.

A BCCI official said board president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah met with Dravid during the IPL final in Dubai and managed to persuade him to accept the job. “There are a couple of issues which Dravid wants to settle with the BCCI, and hopefully that will be done,” the official said.

Asked what the “issues” are, the official said: “Dravid wants to have new support staff… changing the entire old one. And a couple of other things. I am sure everything will be sorted out.” — Agencies