Former India left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi has officially applied for the position of spin bowling coach at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (COE), a post vacated by Sairaj Bahutule earlier this year. Previously referred to as the National Cricket Academy and based at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the COE now operates from a new facility in the same city after BCCI acquired land for a more expansive campus.
Joshi, who played 15 Tests and 69 ODIs for India between 1996 and 2002, is currently associated with Punjab Kings in the IPL under Ricky Ponting’s leadership and has prior experience coaching Uttar Pradesh in the domestic circuit. He also served as a spin bowling consultant for Bangladesh’s national team.
Joshi underwent his interview virtually before a panel that included COE Head of Cricket VVS Laxman, selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar, and GM Cricket Operations Abbey Kuruvilla. Other candidates appeared in person, among them India U-19 women’s team coach Nooshin Al Khadeer, a former international off-spinner with a rich background in coaching at the NCA, and former Gujarat and Saurashtra left-arm spinner Rakesh Dhruv.
Other Top Contenders for the Position
Apart from Joshi, several seasoned names are in contention for the role. Nooshin Al Khadeer, who played five Tests and 78 WODIs for India, has been a key figure in women’s cricket development and remains a strong candidate. Meanwhile, Rakesh Dhruv, with his domestic experience for Gujarat and Saurashtra, is also seen as a competitive option. Veteran off-spinner Pritam Gandhe, known for his consistent performances for Vidarbha, was interviewed too.
A BCCI official indicated that Joshi’s CV stands out due to his extensive coaching record at both the domestic and international levels. His involvement with first-class teams, IPL franchises, and the Bangladesh national side adds considerable weight to his application. Furthermore, being a Bengaluru resident provides logistical advantages for the COE operations.
Expectations from the Selected Coach
The individual selected for the role will have major responsibilities. Apart from fine-tuning the skills of established international players like Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar, the coach will also work closely with India A, India U-19, and standout domestic performers.
Additionally, building a strong synergy between state team coaches and maintaining coordination with national selectors will be crucial, particularly in managing players’ recovery and return-to-play processes after injuries. The position is expected to be vital for the development of India’s spin resources across all levels of cricket.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
