BCCI rejects 'expensive' Zaheer Khan for the bowling coach's role

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided against appointing former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan as the Indian team’s fast-bowling coach. It is reported that the BCCI and Zaheer could not agree on the terms and conditions for the role. Zaheer’ financial terms and unavailability for a full-time role are the reasons behind BCCI’s loss of interest in hiring him for the key role.

Sources said the board was unwilling to pay Zaheer the money he had asked for. They also said that Zaheer was unwilling to join the team on a full-time basis and had asked for Rs. 4 crore for 100 days’ service in a year. BCCI felt it would be a very expensive deal, and consequently decided against giving him a contract. As of now, there appears to be no other contenders vying for the role.

When TOI tried to reach out to Zaheer, he wasn’t available for comment. “The process to involve Zaheer was to have his services over a long period. It was turning out to be an expensive deal, and BCCI lost interest in hiring him. Zaheer also has a few things lined up and he can’t be a full-time coach right now,” a source close to the development told TOI on Tuesday (November 22).

Head coach Anil Kumble had approved Zaheer’s appointment as he is looking out for an experienced hand to guide the pace bowlers. The team felt that Zaheer would fit the bill because of his wealth of experience. Zaheer had also been asked in the past to offer his part-time services to Indian pacers during camps.

A veteran of 92 Tests and 200 ODI matches, Zaheer has 311 and 282 wickets respectively and played a key role in reviving the Delhi Daredevils in the last IPL season. Sources said Zaheer wants to compete in the 2017 IPL and also continue as the bowling mentor of the IPL outfit.

It is understood that BCCI isn’t rushing into hiring a pace bowling coach because India is playing at home till the first quarter of next year. However, there is a contrarian view within the team that a fast bowling coach should be inducted right away to work with the pacers at home before the team goes abroad.