Mahela Jayawardene among the Applicants for India’s Head Coach

After Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had invited fresh applications for the position of India’s head coach and other support staff, former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene is reported to have applied for the much sought after position.

“Some of the candidates who are likely to apply for the post of head coach are Gary Kirsten, Mahela Jayawardene, Tom Moody and Virender Sehwag,” a report from The Financial Express read.

Ravi Shastri was appointed as the head coach in 2017 when BCCI invited fresh applications after Anil Kumble ended his tenure under controversial circumstances. Tom Moody and Virender Sehwag were the other applications back then and are likely to apply again.

Gary Kirsten is a World Cup winner as a coach with Team India in 2011. But Mahela Jayawardene, who is currently coaching IPL franchise Mumbai Indians, is certainly a surprise applicant if he decides to apply.

While inviting applications, BCCI specified eligibility criteria which covered age, playing experience and coaching experience. The eligibility criteria for the head coach stated that the candidate should have played a minimum of 30 test matches or 50 ODIs apart from fulfilling the mandatory criteria of being below 60 year of age.

The members of the team management, whose contract ended after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, were handed a 45-day extension before BCCI invited fresh applications. The extension period covers the West Indies tour from August 3 to September 3 after which India will be playing a home series against South Africa.

The current members of the support staff including the head coach Ravi Shastri, fielding coach R. Sridhar, batting & bowling coaches Sanjay Bangar & Bharat Arun would get an automatic entry in the recruitment process.

All the selections are to be made by the three-member Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising of Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly and V.V.S. Lakshman.

BCCI will be accepting applications till 5 pm on July 30.