According to the Inputs received from officials close to the BCCI, current chief selector of the Indian national cricket team Sandeep Patil is eager to apply for the recently advertised post of the ‘Indian national team head coach’. Mr Patil had earlier coached the Kenya national team in 2003.
A few days ago, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited applications from aspirants for the post of head coach of the Indian team through an advertisement. The BCCI had also mentioned a nine-points preferences list, that the candidates require to fulfil.
The foremost of the preferences is that the candidate must be able to speak Hindi and other regional languages in order to communicate well with the players. Though it is not mandatory, Sandeep Patil has upperhand in this regard as he can speak five local languages effectively. The BCCI has clearly mentioned in its application that the candidates who can communicate well, will be given more importance.
Mr Patil has earlier coached India in 1996, for a brief period of six months. He was successful as a coach for Kenya, as the minnows clinched the semi-final spot for the first time in the World cup history during his tenure. Also, the BCCI wants a coach who can afford his time with the India’s junior teams when he is not accompanied with the national team. This will be an added advantage to the likes of Sandeep Patil, as he will be willing to work in any circumstances being a local candidate.
Though Patil has a positive side to fill the shoes of the national team’s head coach. He will face strong competition from Sanjay Bangar, the present interim head coach of the national team. Even Ravi Shastri may consider applying for the crucial job as he already had the players support for his service as the team director since 2014.