Team India's Shortlisted Head Coach Candidates And Their Experience

A total of six candidates viz Ravi Shastri, Tom Moody, Phil Simmons, Mike Hesson, Robin Singh and Lalchand Rajput are all set to compete for the high-profile job of team India’s head coach. The interview for the post will be conducted on August 16 (Friday). Kapil Dev-headed CAC will be interviewing the candidates and BCCI will name the coach the same day.

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Before CAC conducts the interviews and BCCI announces the coach, here’s a look at credentials of the six coaches who are in the fray for the head coach job –

Ravi Shastri:

A strong contender to retain his job as team India’s head coach, Shastri first joined team’s backroom staff in 2007 for the tour of Bangladesh. He made his comeback as the team director in 2014 and stayed with India until T20 World Cup in 2016.

The same year, Anil Kumble took over as India’s head coach and Shastri was back in the commentary box. A year later, he saw himself become the head coach of the Indian cricket team for the first time – for a period of two years.

During this period, India did well across formats but failed to win World Cup 2019. Overall, Shastri’s performance as the coach of India can be termed good and not to forget, Indian skipper Virat Kohli also shares a good rapport with him.

Shastri, for now, looks set to be retained as head coach of the Indian cricket team.

Phil Simmons:

The former West Indies player had a long association with Ireland. He took over the job in 2007 and coached the team till 2015. Ireland famously defeated Pakistan in 2007 World Cup and then again stole the limelight when they defeated England at 2011 World Cup.

Later, Simmons coached West indies. Under Darren Sammy, Men in Maroon won the T20 World Cup for the second time in 2016 as they defeated England in the final at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Simmons also had stint with Afghanistan cricket team.

Lalchand Rajput:

He was team manager of India when they won the inaugural edition of T20 World Cup in 2007. Later, Rajput became coach of Mumbai Indians as well. Recently, he was associated with Zimbabwe national cricket team.

The former right-handed batsman also coached Afghanistan and was at the helm of affairs when they got full-member nation status in 2017. Although he later left Afghanistan and coached Assam in domestic cricket in 2017/18 season. Rajput has also had coaching stints with India A, India U-19 and other teams.

Tom Moody:

This is the fourth time that Moody has thrown his hat in the ring. The former Australian player lost the race to Greg Chappell in 2005, to Anil Kumble in 2016 and to Ravi Sastri in 2017. One of the veteran coaches, Moody has a long list of teams who he has coached in his career.

At the international level, he has coached Sri Lanka. Moody is well-known among Indian fans for his long stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Led by David Warner, SRH also won their maiden IPL title in 2016 and played the final of the tournament in 2018, under Kane Williamson.

Recently, the franchise parted ways with Moody. The veteran coach still coaches a number of teams across the globe.

Mike Hesson:

His claim to fame came in 2012 when he took over as the head coach of New Zealand. Kiwis were always considered as a dark horse in ICC events but they played the final of 2015 World Cup, that also brought praise to Hesson. He looked set for another World Cup with New Zealand but Hesson surprisingly left his job just a year ahead of the tournament.

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He was later appointed as head coach of Kings XI Punjab, a job that he left recently. Hesson is a strong contender for India coaching job and is also among the contenders for Pakistan and Bangladesh head coach job.

Robin Singh:

The former fielding coach of the Indian cricket team, Robin also has a wealthy experience of coaching teams across the globe. The 55-year-old was team India’s fielding coach from 2007 to 2009. Later, he became the chief coach of Mumbai Indians in 2010. His role at the franchise changed and he is still is associated with the four-time IPL champions.

Apart from India and Mumbai Indians, Robin Singh has coached India A, India U-19, Deccan Chargers, USA and many other teams.