VRV Singh, Lakshmipathy Balaji Shortlisted for CoE Coaching Roles

After Troy Cooley left the Centre of Excellence (CoE) late last year, the BCCI explored appointing another overseas bowling expert for its Bengaluru facility. The board interviewed foreign coaches and came close to hiring Steffan Jones, the noted English bowling coach, but plans have not materialised.

The BCCI has now turned to Indian coaches, including VRV Singh and Lakshmipathy Balaji, for the CoE roles. The two former India pacers are set to be part of 10 new coaches being appointed, for which the advertisement was issued in February. The new staff are likely to take charge after the ongoing IPL season concludes, with some appointees currently associated with IPL franchises.

Apart from VRV Singh and Balaji, P Krishnakumar — the accomplished bowling coach of the Ranji Trophy-winning Jammu and Kashmir side — could be the third bowling coach hired. Krishnakumar has coached Auqib Nabi, Yudhvir Singh, and Umran Malik.

Yere Goud, a former Karnataka all-rounder, will be one of the batting coaches. Goud (54), who played 134 first-class matches and 49 List A games between 1994 and 2011, is set to be part of a two-member batting coaching group. The BCCI has also zeroed in on Sunetra Paranjpe, a former India women's cricketer.

Dishant Yagnik, a former Rajasthan and Rajasthan Royals player, is among the four fielding coaches selected. Yagnik is currently the fielding coach of Kolkata Knight Riders.

Talks with Steffan Jones were at an advanced stage, and those in the know believed the 52-year-old, with extensive County cricket experience, would take up the CoE role. What stalled the deal or whether talks will continue is unclear. Jones was recently in Hyderabad for a private coaching stint.