It was initially reported that Venkatesh Prasad, veteran of 33 Tests and 162 ODIs, had joined the race to become the next India coach, adding his name onto a list which already has those of Ravi Shastri and Virender Sehwag.
A Times of India report says that the current junior national chief selector has applied for the job after the BCCI extended it’s deadline for applications to 9 July. However, the seamer has refuted any such development.
“I’ve not applied for the head coach’s role yet and might not do so before the deadline. However, I’m very much keen to contribute to Indian cricket as an assistant coach or a bowling coach. I can work under Ravi Shastri or Virender Sehwag or whoever becomes the head coach and bring in my experiences as an international cricketer and a former coach,” Prasad told Cricbuzz.
Prasad will be free from his duties as junior chief selector in September this year, making it an ideal time for him to join the set-up.
The Indian technical staff is set for a rejig after Kumble’s exit.
Tom Moody, Lalchand Rajput and Dodda Ganesh are the other contenders for the job, but it still seems that Ravi Shastri is the front-runner, considering he is reportedly Kohli’s first choice.
Feature image source: AFP