Vikram Rathour reapplies for India batting coach position
India’s incumbent batting coach Vikram Rathour has reapplied for the role on the brink of the November 3 deadline set by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the coaching roles. Rathour, who took over from Sanjay Bangar in 2019, was appointed for a two-year period, which ends with the conclusion of the T20 World Cup in the UAE.
“The experience has been great,” Rathour said on the eve of India’s Sueper 12 encounter against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi during a media interaction. “It has been a great learning experience. It’s great to work with a team of such highly motivated and skilfull players. So, it has been a good experience. Going forward, I’ve already applied for the batting coach’s job. If I get that job, there’ll be a lot of work to be done. We will take it as it goes.”
India’s coaching setup is in line for a complete overhaul after the end of the ongoing multi-team event, with head coach Ravi Shastri’s tenure coming to an end. Shastri has conveyed to the BCCI his desire to not extend his contract, while bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar will also vacate their posts.
Rahul Dravid, who has formally applied for the India head coach position, is set to replace Shastri. Paras Mhambrey, who has worked with Dravid during his time with India A, U19 teams and the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, has applied for the bowling coach role, as has former wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra. Abhay Sharma, who too has been with Dravid at the NCA, has submitted his application for the fielding coach.
Meanwhile, the BCCI also has the task to appoint a new T20I skipper for the team after incumbent Virat Kohli announced he will step down after T20 World Cup. While there has not been any official word yet, it is understood that vice-captain Rohit Sharma is likely to take over. The national selection committee is expected to meet to take the calls in the next couple of days when they will also name the squad for the home series against New Zealand.
