In recent weeks, several prominent names have been associated with the high profile role.Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting and Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming were among the top contenders. However, Ponting, currently the head coach of Delhi Capitals in the IPL, confirmed on Thursday that he had been approached but declined the offer to replace Dravid. Similarly, former Australia head coach Justin Langer and Royal Challengers Bangalore manager Andy Flower have also removed themselves from consideration.
As the BCCI continues its search for a new head coach, legendary South African cricketer AB de Villiers was asked about his interest in potentially taking up the role.
“I absolutely have no idea. I do think I’ll enjoy coaching. I think there’s certain elements I won’t enjoy as much, which I will have to learn. With time, anything is possible, and I can think on my feet and learn as I move on,” De Villiers told News18.
Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, has emphasized the board’s goal of finding a long-term head coach. Traditionally, Indian cricket has not employed different coaches for different formats.
“But I think there are elements of a coaching job that I’ll enjoy a lot. Things that I’ve learned over the years, the maturity that I’ve got now at the age of 40, looking back, a lot of things look a lot clearer when I look back at my career. So those kinds of learnings could be valuable for some younger players, even some senior players,” De Villiers added.
Although De Villiers is unlikely to enter the coaching fray this season, he remains open to the possibility in the future. The former South African batter stated, “And I would love to work with some players and some teams in that regard. As a full-time head coach, that’s not something that comes to mind as of yet. It’s not something that really appeals to me now. But as I said, never say never. Down the line, things might change.”
Adding clarity to the ongoing speculations, BCCI secretary Jay Shah on Friday denied that the board had approached any former Australian cricketer for the coaching role.
“Neither I nor the BCCI have approached any former Australian cricketer with a coaching offer. The reports circulating in certain media sections are completely incorrect. Finding the right coach for our national team is a meticulous and thorough process. We are focused on identifying individuals who possess a deep understanding of the Indian cricket structure and have risen through the ranks. It’s crucial that our coach has an in-depth knowledge of our domestic cricket framework to truly elevate Team India to the next level,” Shah stated in a BCCI release.