BCCI President Roger Binny, Secretary Jay Shah and Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma during celebrations upon the team’s arrival at New Delhi airport, on July 4, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

T20 World Cup-winning skipper Rohit Sharma will continue to lead India in the ODI and Test formats BCCI secretary Jay Shah said on July 7, exuding confidence that the country will win next year’s Champions Trophy and World Test Championship under his captaincy.

The 37-year-old Rohit, who became the third Indian captain after legendary Kapil Dev and Mahendra Singh Dhoni to win a global trophy, has announced his retirement from the T20 format.

“The next stage is the WTC final and the Champions Trophy. I have full faith in Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, that we will be the champions in both these tournaments,” secretary Shah said in a video message.

The Champions Trophy, scheduled in Pakistan next year, will be held after eight years (since 2017 in UK), and even though the draft schedule has been submitted to the ICC, the BCCI hasn’t yet given its green light to it.

It is understood BCCI will again push for the ‘Hybrid Model’ like 2023 ODI Asia Cup where India played all its matches, including the ones against Pakistan, in Sri Lanka.

Shah’s message, in a way, has put to rest speculations about whether Rohit would quit leadership role in other formats.

Till Rohit calls it quits, India will once again have split captaincy with Rohit leading in ODIs and Tests while Hardik Pandya is expected to take charge of the T20 outfit. Rohit had also led India to the finals of the WTC and ODI World Cup last year, where India lost the summit clash after winning 10 straight games.

Shah dedicated India’s T20 World Cup triumph to the three cricketers, who quit the format after the title victory and outgoing coach Rahul Dravid. “I want to dedicate this victory to coach Rahul Dravid, captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja.

“This was our third final in the last year. We lost the WTC final in June, 2023. In November, 2023 we won hearts after 10 wins but couldn’t win the Cup. I had said in Rajkot that we will win the heart and also the Cup on June 24 and install our national flag, and our captain installed the Indian flag,” the secretary said.

Rohit, Kohli and Jadeja are expected to comeback for the ODI series against Sri Lanka slated for August.

India will play six ODIs – three against Sri Lanka in an away series and three at home against England in early February before the Champions Trophy.

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah with India’s head coach Rahul Dravid after the T20 World Cup final at Kensington Oval in Barbados on June 29, 2024
| Photo Credit: ANI

The Indian cricket team will have a new head coach from the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka starting later this month, BCCI secretary Jay Shah said on Monday but did not reveal who has been finalised to succeed the outgoing Rahul Dravid.

Former opener Gautam Gambhir is expected to succeed Dravid as the India head coach. The Cricket Advisory Committee has also conducted the interviews for the high-profile job and short-listed Gambhir and former India women’s coach W.V. Raman.

The appointment of a selector will also be made soon, said Shah, who is in the Caribbean with the India squad that won the T20 World Cup title on Saturday, beating South Africa by seven runs in the final.

“Both coach and selector appointment will be made shortly. CAC has interviewed and shortlisted two names and after reaching Mumbai whatever they have decided we will go by that. V.V.S. Laxman is going to Zimbabwe but new coach will join from Sri Lanka series,” Shah tld select media, referring to the Zimbabwe tour beginning July 6.

The Indian team is due to tour Sri Lanka for three T20Is and as many ODIs starting July 27.

Seniors’ presence helped India

Shah showed his elation after India won an ICC title after 11 years here on Saturday. He praised the efforts of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who played a match-winning knock in the final.

Both the stalwarts announced their retirement from T20Is after the triumph and were joined by all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in saying goodbye to the format a day later.

“It was same captain last year and same here in Barbados. We won all games except the final in 2023 as Australia played better. This time we worked even harder and played better to win the title.

“If you look at other teams, experience counts. From Rohit to Virat, all excelled. Experience makes a lot of difference, in World Cups you can’t experiment much also.

“A good player knows when to say goodbye to the game, we saw that yesterday. You look at Rohit’s strike rate, it is better than a lot of young players,” he said.

How does he see the transition panning out following the retirement of Rohit, Kohli and Jadeja?

“Transition has already happened with three greats retiring,” Shah said.

India, who had built a reputation of losing the big finals over the past decade, finally ended their title drought after losing two ICC finals over the last 12 months and Shah hoped the winning run will continue.

“I would want India to win all the titles. We have the biggest bench strength, only three players from this team are going to Zimbabwe. We can field three teams if the need arises.

“The way this team is progressing, our target is to win World Test Championship final and Champions Trophy. There will be a similar squad playing there. The seniors will be there,” said Shah.

On Hardik Pandya’s all-round performance in the World Cup and chances of him taking over captaincy from Rohit, Shah said: “Captaincy will be decided by the selectors and we will announce it after discussing with them. You asked about Hardik, there were lot of questions over his form but we and selectors showed faith in him and he proved himself.”

India A to tour Australia

Shah also confirmed that an A team will be travelling to Australia later in the year ahead of the five Tests Down Under.

The BCCI is planning a felicitation after reaching India but the Hurricane warning has shut down the airport in Barbados indefinitely, leaving the victorious squad stranded.

“Like you we are also stuck here. After the travel plans are clear, we will think about the felicitation,” said Shah.

Bridgetown:

As soon as India won the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup title with a tight seven-run win over South Africa at the Kensington Oval, one couldn’t help but go back to the words BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said all the way back in February this year.

“Everybody had been waiting for my statement on the World Cup. In 2023, India did not win the World Cup after winning 10 matches straight, but we won hearts. But I want to make a promise that in 2024, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, India will win the T20 World Cup in Barbados,” Mr Shah had said ahead of the renaming of SCA Stadium in Rajkot as the Niranjan Shah Stadium before the third India-England Test happened in February.

On Saturday, Mr Shah’s words came true in front of his eyes as Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah propelled India to make another stunning turnaround from the equation reading 30 runs needed off 30 balls to win by seven runs and end a 11-year trophy drought, as well as clinch their second Men’s T20 World Cup title.

When scenes of jubilation and emotion panned out after the title triumph was sealed, former India head coach Ravi Shastri made a mention of Mr Shah’s prophecy at Rajkot in February coming true in Barbados and called him ‘Nostradamus’ on air.

Coming to the match, Hardik Pandya’s 3-20 and Jasprit Bumrah’s 2-18 helped an unbeaten India to come back and clinch their second title in the shortest format. Talismanic batter Virat Kohli stepped up to end his lean run with a 59-ball 76 to help India post a competitive 176/7, the highest total in a Men’s T20 World Cup final.

His 72-run stand for the fourth wicket with Axar Patel, who made 47 off 31 balls, and a 57-run partnership with Shivam Dube, who hit a 16-ball 27, helped India go past 175-run mark, as they got 42 runs off the last three overs.

In reply, South Africa were very much in sight to chase down the total. But Hardik taking out Heinrich Klaasen propelled India to come back into the match and emerge victorious to end a long 11-year global trophy drought as they restricted South Africa to 169/8.

India now join West Indies and England as two-time winners of the Men’s T20 World Cup, and also gave a winning farewell to head coach Rahul Dravid. It also meant that Virat Kohli signed off from playing T20Is for India on a high with the World Cup trophy and the Player of the Match award in the final.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Jay Shah, BCCI secretary. File photo
| Photo Credit: K. Pichumani

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah on Friday, May 24, 2024, rejected claims that the Board has approached any former Australian cricketer to be India’s next head coach and hinted that Rahul Dravid ’s successor could be an Indian by saying that he should have a “deep understanding” of the game’s structure in the country.

In the midst of high-profile coaches around the globe choosing not to enter the race to be India’s men’s cricket head coach, Mr. Jay Shah has issued a clarification of not having approached anyone for the prestigious post.

Mr. Shah’s clarification came hours after Ricky Ponting , Justin Langer and Andy Flower have stated on various platforms their disinterest in throwing their hat into the ring. The deadline for submitting the applications is May 27.

“When we talk about international cricket, no role is more prestigious than that of the head coach of the Indian cricket team. Team India commands the largest fan base globally, enjoying support that is truly unrivalled. Our rich history, passion for the game make this one of the most lucrative jobs in the world,” Shah said in a statement on Friday.

“The role demands a high level of professionalism as one gets to nurture some of the best cricketers in the world and an assembly line of talented cricketers to follow. Catering to the aspirations of a billion fans is a huge honour and the BCCI will pick the right candidate, capable of propelling Indian cricket forward.”

Ponting admitted informal discussions to gauge his interest before preferring family commitments, while Langer attributed a chat with KL Rahul helping him choose not to opt for the race. Flower, meanwhile, stressed after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s loss in the IPL Eliminator that he was happy to stick around the franchise cricket world.

Preference to an India, hints Shah

While adding that no one from the BCCI has approached anyone, Mr. Shah dropped the biggest hint of the BCCI likely to prefer an Indian to succeed Rahul Dravid.

“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,” Shah said.

“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.”

Hardly any overseas coach is attuned to the complexities of India’s domestic cricket ecosystem. Should an Indian be preferred, VVS Laxman would be the natural choice for the Cricket Advisory Committee, but the National Cricket Academy head is not interested in taking over from Dravid for personal reasons.

It would mean Harbhajan Singh (who has expressed his interest), Gautam Gambhir or Zaheer Khan (a feeler has been sent to both) may emerge as a frontrunner should either of them submits the application.

File photo of Rahul Dravid.
| Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy

The Indian men’s cricket team is set to get a new head coach, with incumbent Rahul Dravid having informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about his decision to step down at the end of India’s T20 World Cup campaign in June.

Dravid is understood to have informed the BCCI hierarchy about his decision to spend time with the family even before the IPL began in March. On Monday night, the BCCI officially invited applications for the head coach’s post with May 27 set as the deadline.

Last week, BCCI secretary Jay Shah, while stating that the applications for the head coach will be invited soon, had stressed Dravid “will have to re-apply” if he wants an extension. The statement came as a surprise to many in the know.

The Hindu understands that Dravid — who agreed for an extension after his contract expired at the end of the 2023 World Cup — had clarified well in advance about seeking no further extension due to personal reasons. In fact, a group of seniors in the team had requested him to consider being at the helm of the Test team at least for a year, but Dravid had made up his mind.

Had Dravid agreed, the BCCI may have considered having different coaches for limited-over and Test match set-ups. However, as stated by Shah last week, there will only be one head coach across formats and his appointment will be till the end of 2027.

Contrary to speculation and expectation, V.V.S. Laxman, the head at the National Cricket Academy, too is unlikely to enter the fray.

It may lead to the BCCI being forced to look for an overseas coach in consultation with the senior players. Feelers have been sent to a couple of IPL franchise head coaches, who have been a part of the T20 league for quite some time. So far, none of them have expressed willingness to apply for the post.

India coach Rahul Dravid.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

The appointment process for the head coach of India’s men’s cricket team is set to begin in the coming week. Jay Shah, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, confirmed incumbent Rahul Dravid can reapply if he wants his tenure extended.

“We will call for applications in the next few days. Rahul Dravid’s tenure is coming to an end in June. If he wants to reapply, he can,” Shah said during an interaction at the BCCI headquarters.

Dravid, who took over in November 2021, was handed a short-term extension till the T20 World Cup after his two-year contract expired at the end of India’s loss in the final of the ODI World Cup last November. Shah confirmed the new head coach will be offered to take
charge till the ODI World Cup in 2027.

Contrary to the recent trend in international cricket of having separate head coaches for limited overs’ formats and Test cricket, the BCCI is unlikely to opt for a split coaching role.

“We are looking for a long-term coach, for three years,” Shah said. “There is no precedent of different coaches for different formats in Indian cricket. Besides, we have a number of all-format players. Ultimately, it will be the Cricket Advisory Committee’s (CAC’s) call. I have to implement what they decide. If the CAC selects a foreign coach, I can’t interfere.”

Even before the head coach applications are invited, the three-member CAC— headed by former batter Ashok Malhotra and including Jatin Paranjape and Sulakshana Naik— will have to finalise the prolonged appointment of a national selector.

“A few interviews for the selector’s post have already happened. The CAC will meet in a week’s time to finalise the name and we will announce it soon,” Shah said.

The BCCI in January had advertised for a national selector’s post in order to revert to the convention of each of the five zones represented in the selection panel. For more than a year, the north zone has not been represented in the selection panel whereas the west zone has two members in the panel since last July.

As a result, Salil Ankola is set to make way for a new appointee. The Hindu understands that domestic stalwart Mithun Manhas and Nikhil Chopra, the former India offspinner, are main contenders to join the Ajit Agarkar-chaired panel.

Shah stated that the uproar over the Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League, introduced since the 2023 edition, will be discussed with various stakeholders after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup in June. “The Impact Player rule was brought in as a test case. On the bright side, it is providing additional playing opportunities to two more Indian players in every match,” Shah said.

“We will consult with the franchise captains, players, franchises and broadcasters and then decide about the future course. It’s not a permanent rule nor am I saying we will move past it.”

Shah is widely believed to be the prime contender to replace Greg Barclay as the International Cricket Council (ICC) chair later this year. Shah shrugged the query aside, “Let there be speculation. Let me be here (in the BCCI). Am I not doing a good job (as BCCI secretary)?” he concluded.

BCCI chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar with captain Rohit Sharma. File
| Photo Credit: AP

The national selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar will meet BCCI secretary Jay Shah in Ahmedabad on April 30 to finalise the 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup in the Americas but the official announcement might happen a day later.

The BCCI secretary is the convenor of the senior selection committee (men) and with Shah busy with his political commitments, it is understood that the meeting will be held in Ahmedabad.

The second wicketkeeper’s slot and all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s place in the side will be the two talking points of the selection meeting.

It is understood that KL Rahul (IPL strike rate of 144 and 378 runs so far) and Sanju Samson (385 runs at a strike rate of 161) are still locked in a battle for the second wicketkeeper’s slot.

Rajasthan Royals captain Samson has for the first time in over a decade been a consistent performer for his IPL side but there is no way his No. 3 batting slot is going to get him a place in the India team.

Another school of thought is that someone like Samson, who has 25 T20Is under his belt but an average of just 20 and a strike rate of around 135, should not be considered based on just one good IPL season.

In case of Rahul, it can be said that one senior member of the coaching staff will certainly go all out to push for his inclusion but many believe that the stylish right-handed batter’s approach in T20 cricket remains archaic.

However, he is still considered a better bet than Samson at No. 5 or 6 on slowish Caribbean tracks.

The other option, Jitesh Sharma, is in very poor form, while Dhruv Jurel hasn’t got a chance to keep wickets. During the last game in Lucknow, he did get an opportunity to bat long and scored a fifty.

Left-handed batter Tilak Varma, who is also a handy off-spinner, remains an option along with pacer Sandeep Sharma, the Punjab veteran whose slower variations at the death have played a big role in Rajasthan Royals’ surge to the top of the IPL table.

In a novel gesture by the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) has hosted 12,000 cancer and thalassemia patients as “special invitees” during the IPL match between Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals in Ahmedabad.

The Rishabh Pant-led side raced to a six-wicket win after bundling out the home team for their lowest ever IPL total of 89 at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday.

In a drive to raise awareness about cancer and thalassemia, the BCCI secretary Jay Shah welcomed the “special invitees”, including blood donors and blood donation camp organizers, stated a release.

“This extraordinary gesture will go a long way in raising awareness about cancer and thalassemia, and the challenges faced by those living with this condition,” it stated.

“It also provided the individuals with a much-needed day of fun and entertainment. The excited happy faces were clearly visible, cheering for their favourite teams leading to a unique atmosphere of joy and camaraderie never seen before at the stadium,” it added.

Ahmedabad (Gujarat):

Ahead of the start of the ODI World Cup in India on Thursday, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah announced that the cricket apex body in India will provide free mineral and packaged drinking water for all the fans in the stadium.

Jay Shah took to his official X (formerly known as Twitter) account to announce the decision made by the BCCI and said that all the spectators at stadiums across the nation will get mineral and packaged drinking water without any cost.

Mr Shah also asked the cricket fans in the country to stay hydrated and enjoy the ODI World Cup matches.

Exciting times ahead as we anticipate the first ball of @ICC@cricketworldcup 2023 !

I am proud to announce that we’re providing FREE mineral and packaged drinking water for spectators at stadiums across India. Stay hydrated and enjoy the games!

Let’s create… pic.twitter.com/rAuIfV5fCR

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) October 5, 2023

The inaugural match of the extravagant tournament will be played on Thursday between England and New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad at 2 PM IST.

Before the start of the first match of the tournament, England skipper Jos Buttler said that star English player Ben Stokes might not be included in the playing eleven since he has received a slight niggle in his hip.

Buttler also added that the decision will be taken before the start of the game, and if he fails to recover then Stokes won’t be [playing in the ODI World Cup.

“He’s got a slight sort of niggle in his hip, fingers crossed it will be good news for us. We’ll make the right call. If he’s not fit to play he’s not fit to play and if he is we can make that decision,” Buttler said as quoted by Sky Sports.

Earlier, Ben Stokes missed out on the World Cup warmup match against Bangladesh on Monday, in which England clinched a four-wicket win against Bangladesh.

However, Rohit Sharma-led Men in Blue will start their ODI World Cup campaign on Sunday against Australia at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)