BCCI shortlists 21 candidates for head coach, CAC to take call by June 22

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday announced that 21 candidates have been shortlisted out of the original 57 for the head coach.

After scrutinising, BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke has handed over the 21 applications to the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman and former secretary Sanjay Jagdale, who will act as chief co-ordinator of the committee. The CAC will send its recommendation to board president Anurag Thakur by June 22.

Sourav Ganguly (C) and V.V. S Laxman (R) listen to Sachin Tendulkar (L) during a practice session at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore in March 2004. Pic/AFP

The BCCI issued a media release which also stated that Tendulkar, who is currently in England, will be available via video-conference.

"The cricket advisory committee which consists of three eminent cricketers, namely Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and V.V.S. Laxman in association with Sanjay Jagdale, who will act as chief co-ordinator of this committee for the purpose of the selection of the Head Coach will be handed over the 21 eligible applications," the release stated.

"Sanjay Jagdale brings a wealth of cricket and cricket administration experience to help run the operations of this committee smoothly. The said committee under the coordination of Jagdale will process and scrutinise all the applications, conduct interviews and seek presentations from candidates as the committee deems fit.

"Should the committee desire to look at all the 57 applications as well, the said will be made available to them. The committee will be required to go through the process and on completion, recommend its choice of selection to the president of the BCCI, Anurag Thakur, through the secretary. The primary operations and activities of the committee will be carried out in the Mumbai office of the BCCI."

"Sachin Tendulkar who is a key member of this committee, but is out of the country, has confirmed his availability as and when required through video conference facilities," the release added.

Former India skippers Ravi Shastri and Anil Kumble and current selection committee chairman Sandeep Patil are some of the big names in the race for the top job.