The buzz around India's next head coach is only getting higher and higher. BCCI's deadline for accepting applications is in the past now but there is still no clear name for the post. Gautam Gambhir is being considered as one of the front-runners in the race. However, as per reports BCCI has received over 3000 reports and many of them came from fake names.
BCCI receives over 3000 applications
As per a report from Indian Express, BCCI has received more than 3000 applications for the post of Indian head coach and many of them came from fake names of former cricketers and Indian politicians. There were fake applications from the names of Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, and Virender Sehwag. There were also applications by the name of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
However, this is not the first BCCI is dealing with fake applicants. There were more than 5000 fake applications by the name of celebrities back in 2022. Earlier, the Indian Cricket Board used ask the candidates to mail their application but this time around they used Google Forms.
ALSO READ: Rafael Nadal faces first round exit in French Open, says 'I'm not 100% sure if it's the last time but...'
ALSO READ: A look at India's T20 World Cup squads from 2007 to 2024, only one player remains a constant
"Last year too, the BCCI received such a response where imposters applied and the story is similar this time. The reason the BCCI had to invite applications on Google forms is it’s easy to scrutinise the names of applicants in one sheet," Indian Express quoted a BCCI official.
BCCI did not approach Former Australian cricketers
Former Australian cricketers like Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer recently revealed that they had denied BCCI's offer to replace Rahul Dravid as the Indian head coach but BCCI secretary Jay Shah said that nobody had approached the Aussie players and the news circulating in the media is incorrect.
"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. 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," said Jay Shah.
"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. 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" he added.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
95-ranked Sumit Nagal loses to Russia's Karen Khachanov in first round on French Open debut
'Ladke pagal hore hai dance karne ke liye': Gautam Gambhir interrupts coach Chandrakant Pandit's speech midway to leave everyone in splits
