Indian Cricket Team’s ‘Dream Coaching Staff’: Indian cricket is witnessing a golden band of cricketers currently, players who have successfully maintained top-level games against the strongest opponents across all formats (barring twenty20). These aggressive, result-oriented players are continuously setting higher bars for the generations to come who’d soon know the pressure of representing their country.
Even though players make the meat of Indian cricket, the fraternity has other aspects too. The success rate of a team is highly propelled by efficient management and effective coaching staff. The first coach of the Indian cricket team was a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, Mr. Bishan Singh Bedi who inaugurated the post in 1990. Then continued a series of various Indian veterans making great coaches until the first foreign coach appointed in the year 2000 (John Wright 2000-05). In 2008 the team had South African great Gary Kirsten as their head coach.
The current batch of coaches led by Ravi Shastri has met most of the expectations and are heading strong. Speculation for the next batch will start when Ravi Shastri and co.’s contract expires in 2021. Looking at the next generation of cricketers, the best options for Indian coaches are listed below.
1) Head Coach- Gary Kirsten
The 51-year-old African opener joined the Indian staff (in 2008) without any previous experience but led the team into the famous 2011 One day World Cup title. Gary is currently the head coach of South Africa, managing a revamp of their cricket. His success as an Indian and South African coach is definitely not understood only by numbers or win percentage. He has experience of handling a senior Indian side and South African youngsters. His average of a little more than 45 in 101 test speaks a lot on his caliber.
2) Batting Coach- Rahul Dravid
The Great wall of India is one of the best batsmen world cricket has ever seen. His colloquial batting display across all formats earned him the title of Mr.Dependable. His experience of more than 500 international games in various countries makes him an ideal candidate. Rahul is known for his calmness and cools in the toughest situations, even while captaining the team. He is currently the boss of the Indian U-19 batch and his bonding with the next generation makes his case even stronger.
3) Bowling Coach- Zaheer Khan
He has been India’s go-to pacer all through his career. With his skillset and experience, Zaheer becomes the prime candidate to lead a young pack of bowlers. His understanding of situations and conditions reflects in his career graph and success rate. Khan finished as India’s fourth-highest wicket-taker in all formats. His 311 test wickets is a statement in itself. The 41-year old’s stint as Mumbai Indian’s bowling coach adds to his case.
4) Fielding Coach- Jonty Rhodes
This man needs no introduction. He is the by far the best fielder of his times. The 50 years old South African coached Mumbai Indians to 3 IPL titles and knows perfectly how to manage a quick fielding unit. Jonty is the first cricketer who wasn’t known for his batting or bowling because of his superficial fielding efforts.
