BCCI interviews 5 candidates for spin bowling coach role, Ricky Ponting's right-hand man in the mix

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is on a hunt for a new spin bowling coach ahead of the England tour. As per the reports in PTI, it is learned that the governing body has interviewed 5 candidates for the role.

As the players are involved in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are making sure that they leave no stone unturned in making sure that they strengthen the support staff, including coaches and other management even at their Centre of Excellence (CoE).

BCCI recently sacked Abhishek Nayar

Recently, BCCI took a massive step as they sacked Abhishek Nayar, who was the assistant coach of the team. Along with him, they also removed fielding coach T Dilip, trainer Soham Desai, and masseur Arun Kanade from their post.

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The governing body is now looking to add a coach for spin bowling, considering how the team struggled to get going against spinners in the last home season.

Among the interviewed candidates, former India left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi is the one name who showed his interest in the post at the Centre of Excellence (CoE).

Sunil Joshi attended the interview online in front of a three-member panel

Sunil Joshi has been one of the best spinners who played for the India National Cricket Team. He played 15 Tests and 69 ODIs for India between 1996 and 2002, is currently working with Ricky Ponting in the Punjab Kings team, and has also coached Uttar Pradesh during the domestic season. He is the most accomplished name on the list.

Sunil Joshi attended the interview online in front of a three-member panel comprising CoE’s head of cricket, VVS Laxman, chairman of the men’s selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, and general manager (Cricket Operations) Abbey Kuruvilla.

Along with him, left-arm spinner Rakesh Dhruv of Gujarat and Saurashtra, Vidarbha's long-time off-break bowler Pritam Gandhe, Bengal off-spinner Saurashis Lahiri, and India U-19 women's head coach Nooshin Al Khadeer Nooshin were also interviewed.

Sunil Joshi has the best CV out of all the other candidates - BCCI source

The source close to BCCI talked about the interviews, saying that Sunil Joshi has the best CV and his experience in elite-level coaching is likely to work in his favour. Speaking to PTI, he said:

"Obviously, Sunil Joshi has the best CV out of all the other candidates. In the case of Nooshin, the BCCI is also going to have an elaborate women’s wing with dedicated staff for international, national and domestic age-group women’s cricketers.

While playing elite level does embellish the CV and Sunil is the only (men’s) Test cricketer among those who appeared for the interview, his biggest plus is considerable experience in elite level coaching.

"He has coached multiple first-class teams, has been a part of IPL coaching set-up and also coached senior men’s international team. And don’t forget, he is from Bengaluru, which makes a lot of sense logistically."

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