Ricky Ponting: I don't think BCCI will find anyone better than Dravid
Ricky Ponting has suggested Rahul Dravid as the perfect candidate to succeed Anil Kumble. Ponting believes that the Indian team would be benefited by utilising Dravid's vast amount of knowledge about the game. BCCI released a notification on Thursday inviting applications for the head coach.
Anil Kumble's tenure will come to an end after the Champions Trophy tournament and BCCI have started their search for the new Indian coach and Kumble leads as the favourite due to his impeccable record with the Indian team. Under the supervision of Kumble India remained unbeaten on their home soil this year with wins over New Zealand, Australia, England and Bangladesh.Â
After Kapil Dev's stint as the head coach in 1999, Anil Kumble became the first Indian player to be appointed as the head coach. In the following years, the post of the head coach was occupied by foreign coaches namely John Wright in 2000, followed by Australian Greg Chapell in 2005 and Gary Kirsten took charge of the Indian team's management from 2007 to 2011 which is termed by many as the golden period for Indian cricket.Â
Finally, in 2011 Englishman Duncan Fletcher succeeded Kirsten and was the last foreign coach.
Ricky Ponting recommended former Indian batsman Rahul Dravid for the post who has gained experience in the field due to his time as the coach of India A and U-19 team and also as the Delhi Daredevils mentor in the recently concluded Indian Premier League.
"It's not my decision to make and it depends on what BCCI are looking for. Do they want an Indian coach or an overseas one? I don't think BCCI will find many better candidates than someone like him. If he's interested in doing the job, he will do a good job. He's got a lot of knowledge, is very experienced and understands all three formats because he has worked in IPL. He will be a great candidate but it depends on what the BCCI thinks is the best fit for the Indian cricket team and also depends on what the captain wants. Whatever Virat (Kohli) wants around the Test team, I am sure the BCCI will listen to him.", Ponting told Zee News.
The historic trio of Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid have a huge role to play in the selection of the new Indian coach as the former two are the panellists who will interview the applicants and the latter is an important prospect for the job.
