Don’t see the need for Team India to hire a foreign coach: Parthiv Patel

Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Parthiv Patel doesn’t see the need for Team India to hire a foreign coach. Foreign coaches like Stephen Fleming, Ricky Ponting, and Justin Langer have been linked with India’s head coach role but both the Australians have distanced themselves.

Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir is also on BCCI’s radar for the head coach role. Meanwhile, Rahul Dravid has confirmed that he will not be reapplying for the prestigious job after his tenure comes to a close following the end of the upcoming T20 World Cup. 

“There are a lot of coaches from NCA that have joined the Indian team, I don’t see the need for overseas coaches,” Parthiv said, as quoted by PTI.

“India has so many capable coaches. Every other year our U-19 team wins the World Cup, India A team does well on overseas tours. They are coached by Indians so why do we need outside coaches? Chandrakant Pandit is a huge example,” he added.

India last had a foreign coach at the 2015 World Cup when former Zimbabwe cricketer Duncan Fletcher was in charge. After Fletcher, BCCI appointed former Indian players like Anil Kumble, Ravi Shastri, and Rahul Dravid as India’s coach. Furthermore, NCA head VVS Laxman stepped up for Dravid when he needed a break.

“We have seen when Rahul Bhai was coach, Laxman bhai filling in for him. Though it’s not just the two coaches as there are other NCA coaches,” Parthiv said.

It is well known that India’s head coach’s job is demanding as it is almost 10 months of travel with the team, given the side hectic schedule and it will be interesting to note who would take over the coaching baton from Rahul Dravid.

Dravid will want the team to end their major ICC title hoodoo in the upcoming T20 World Cup.