Mumbai: Former New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori, currently coach of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), might find himself as one of the front-runners in the list of probables for the coach of the Indian cricket team.
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According to media reports, RCB skipper Virat Kohli has recommended Vettori for Head Coach at the Indian camp, a position that has been there for the taking ever since Zimbabwean Duncan Fletcher’s departure, post ICC World Cup 2015.
However, the BCCI is yet to confirm whether they are serious about Kohli's suggestion.
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Team India’s Test skipper Kohli has developed quite a strong bond with Vettori, who has been at the RCB camp for a long time.
The 37-year-old former left-arm spinner retired from international cricket following New Zealand's loss to Australia in the final of the 2015 World Cup in Melbourne.
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During an illustrious 18-year career, Vettori has taken 362 wickets in 113 Tests and 305 wickets in 295 ODIs. Apart from the RCB, he is also the coach of Big Bash team Brisbane Heat.
Former India captain Ravi Shastri has been at the helm of affairs as Team India Director since 2014 when India were touring England, but Shastri's contract too ended after the recently-concluded ICC World Twenty20 in April.
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BCCI had earlier mentioned that India coach will be finalised before the next tour. Secretary Anurag Thakur had said that the board is looking for a full-time coach instead of continuing with the team director's position, and the Cricket Advisory Committee, comprising former India players Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, was given the task of picking a coach.
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Sources say Shastri’s tenure maybe extended for the brief Zimbabwe tour which commences on June 11 but that doesn’t take away the fact that a Head Coach for the Men in Blue is paramount, with the all important West Indies tour in July-August for a four-match Test series.
India’s tour of @ZimCricketv – 2016: 1st ODI (June 11th), 2nd ODI (13th), 3rd ODI (15th), 1st T20I (18th), 2nd T20I (20th), 3rd T20I (22nd)
— BCCI (@BCCI) May 4, 2016
The BCCI had even approached former skipper Rahul Dravid for the role but reports suggest Dravid wants to concentrate on grassroots with the U-19, a role that he has been successful, taking Ishan Kishan and the young boys to the finals of the ICC U-19 World Cup.
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Dravid is now the mentor of IPL franchise Delhi Daredevils.
