Former CSK coach, VRV Singh in line to take up CoE coaching roles

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has pivoted its strategy for Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, shifting focus toward domestic expertise after unsuccessful attempts to secure a high-profile foreign bowling consultant. This change in direction follows the exit of acclaimed Australian coach Troy Cooley late last year. While the board had initially engaged in advanced discussions with English specialist Steffan Jones to fill the vacancy, those negotiations ultimately stalled, leading the BCCI to prioritize experienced Indian hands for its fast-bowling development programs.

VRV Singh, Lakshmipathy Balaji frontrunners to take up coaching roles at CoE

Former Indian internationals VRV Singh and Lakshmipathy Balaji are now the frontrunners to join the revamped coaching department at the Bengaluru facility. Their expected inclusion is part of a significant organizational expansion, as the BCCI looks to fill approximately 10 new coaching positions for which it invited applications earlier this year. By bringing in former players who have a deep understanding of the domestic circuit, the board aims to ensure a seamless transition for the next generation of pace bowlers.

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These new appointments are expected to be formalized shortly after the 2026 Indian Premier League season concludes. The timing is strategic, as many of the shortlisted candidates—including Balaji—are currently fulfilling professional commitments with various IPL franchises. Once their league duties are finished, the new staff members will transition to their roles at the NCE to oversee the next phase of player development and rehabilitation.

Joining the National Centre of Excellence alongside VRV Singh and Lakshmipathy Balaji is P Krishnakumar, a highly respected figure in the domestic coaching circuit. Krishnakumar’s appointment as a bowling coach comes on the back of a stellar reputation built through his transformative work with the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team, who recently made history by winning the Ranji Trophy.  His influence has been instrumental in the rise of several high-profile Indian fast bowlers. He is widely credited with the technical and tactical development of players like Umran Malik, Yudhvir Singh, and Auqib Nabi, the latter of whom played a pivotal role in Jammu and Kashmir’s recent championship success.  With these additions, the BCCI appears to have finalized its selections for the three specialized bowling coach positions advertised earlier this year. The board’s move to secure a coach of Krishnakumar’s caliber underscores its commitment to utilizing proven domestic expertise to lead the next generation of Indian pacers at the Bengaluru-based facility.

The board is also strengthening its high-performance programs for women’s cricket by shortlisting former India international Sunetra Paranjpe for a coaching position. Paranjpe, who represented the national side in both Tests and ODIs, brings extensive experience from the domestic and international circuits. Her inclusion is a clear signal of the BCCI’s intent to integrate seasoned former players into the core of its development systems across both the men's and women's divisions.  

In the fielding department, former Rajasthan wicketkeeper-batter Dishant Yagnik is expected to be among the four specialized coaches appointed. Currently the fielding coach for the Kolkata Knight Riders, Yagnik has earned a strong reputation for implementing modern athletic development and innovative fielding systems. His transition to the NCE highlights the board's emphasis on elevating fielding standards—a component now considered as critical as batting or bowling in the modern game.  

These appointments represent a broader effort by the BCCI to establish specialized coaching units at the Bengaluru facility. By assembling a team that includes experts like Goud and Yagnik, the board aims to provide a sophisticated training environment focused on technical precision and peak physical performance for the country's rising talent.