As soon as BCCI posted the advertisement in search of Chief Coach of the men's team (for three and a half years from July 2024 to December 2027 – duty in all three formats), it was almost certain that Rahul Dravid was going. His current two-year contract started from the 2021 T20 World Cup and till last year's ODI World Cup. Gave him an extension and brought him till 2024 T20 World Cup. This time BCCI started the search for a new coach in the presence of the existing coach, otherwise it has been a tradition here to get another extension or make someone an interim coach.

The interesting thing is that in response to the advertisement, the one who wants to become a coach will have to apply, but everyone knows that BCCI has also started doing its homework and seeing the need of the team, it itself started searching for the coach so that whomever can be selected. He must apply. News is leaking from BCCI office and names of possible coaches are coming out. So these are the top 5 contenders till now:

Stephen Fleming: A lot of experience as a captain/coach, he gets respect for his work and man management which is the biggest need of today's coach – including someone like John Wright, who has been the coach of his own country, Team India. His biggest identity in India is his track record with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. With them since 2009, 5 IPL titles and 2 Champions League titles. He is also the chief coach of the Joburg Super Kings in the SA20 and the Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket – the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash and the Southern Brave in The Hundred. This kind of experience is there but the question is whether he will leave all this for BCCI duty? Yes- If BCCI's preference is for a foreign coach then he is a strong contender.

VVS Laxman: He is responsible for the current search otherwise BCCI had started grooming him along with Rahul Dravid's existing contract and whenever Dravid was not available he was on duty – along with the Chief of the National Cricket Academy i.e. That knows Indian cricket and all the current players. Now there are indications that he is shying away from the duties of a regular coach, but he could have been a coach as calm as Dravid who followed every policy of BCCI and did not conflict with him – that is why he will not take any bold decision, he is defensive but he is a role model. Will not make strategy. It won't be surprising if they change their mind.

Justin Langer: The biggest qualification was the Australian cricketer and coach – managed the Australian team for 4 years during the Sandpaper Gate crisis in May 2018 and brought it back on the winning track. The 2021 T20 World Cup and the Ashes wins in 2019 and 2021 are the biggest achievements, but even the Australians could not tolerate his role as a tough taskmaster – the players almost rebelled against him. This time he was the coach of the Lucknow team but did not even qualify for the play-offs. If he is made the coach then the Greg Chappell era can return.

Andy Flower: Coach with the most work since retiring as a cricketer – The biggest duty in this was with the England team and being number 1 in the Ashes in 2009, T20 World Cup in 2010 and England Test in 2011 and then find young cricketers for them. . In franchise cricket, he has been a coach in PSL, CPL, IPL (Punjab Kings in 2020 and 2021 and then two back-to-back playoffs in LSG), ILT20, The Hundred and Abu Dhabi T10 and the graph of RCB this season is in front of everyone. Is. Calm in temperament but if you want a foreign coach then he is number 1.

Gautam Gambhir: He is the most talked about and the graph of Kolkata Knight Riders this season is responsible for this – he is a mentor but an expert in strategy and when he left Lucknow, he did not even reach the play-offs whereas KKR became a strong contender for the title. There are indications that BCCI itself is in touch with him. There are many pluses with him – sharp cricket mind, smart and clever, ready for every challenge, knows the intricacies of every format of cricket. Negative also – no experience of coaching at international or domestic level as he has only been a mentor in IPL. The quick-tempered man, who has no hesitation in showing or speaking what is in his mind, will be on the front himself and will not be the yes man of BCCI. Our feet are stuck in many places – we have to leave them. Was part of two World Cup wins as a player – T20 in 2007 and ODI in 2011. Captain of KKR for 7 IPL seasons – qualifying for playoffs 5 times and winning 2 titles. Also reached the Champions League final in 2014.

The race is on – see who will be BCCI's choice in the end?

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