Lalchand Rajput joins the race to be a part of India’s support staff

Lalchand Rajput was one of the six applicants for the role of India’s head coach. However, the 57-year-old couldn’t make the cut as Ravi Shastri was re-appointed for the high-profile position. Shastri’s tenure as the coach ended with the conclusion of the 2019 World Cup after which he was given a 45-day extension period until the end of the tour of the West Indies.

Shastri’s upcoming contract will be until the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup in India. Previously Virat Kohli spoke in favour of Shastri in a press conference. The Cricket Advisory Committee, led by Kapil Dev, the 1983 World Cup-winning captain, conducted the interviews. The panel also had the likes of Anshuman Gaekwad, the former Indian cricketer, and Shantha Rangaswamy.

Lalchand Rajput throwing his hat in

As far as Rajput is concerned, it has been learned that he is set to join the race to be a part of India’s support staff as per reports in The Times of India (TOI). The senior selection committee, led by MSK Prasad, also a former Indian keeper, has started an extensive process to pick the support staff. The veteran is expected to be in for a rather tough competition in order to make his way.

Vikram Rathour, the former Test opener, has already emerged a strong contender for the position of the batting coach. Sanjay Bangar is most likely to be replaced. Rajput entering the fray means that there will be cut-throat competition for the role in the national team. Bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar have emerged favourites to retain their positions.

Earlier Shastri spoke in the staff’s favour and stressed on retaining them. The likes of Pravin Amre, Amol Mazumdar, India’s domestic bulwark, Sitanshu Kotak, Saurashtra’s batting stalwart have also been learned to have applied for the position of the batting coach. Former Indian cricketer Hrishikesh Kanitkar and ex-Delhi cricketer Mithun Manhas appeared for the interview.

For the role of the bowling coach, Venkatesh Prasad, Paras Mhambrey and Amit Bhandari appeared for the interview. According to the criteria for fielding, batting and bowling coach, the personnel should have played at least 10 Tests, or 25 ODIs, and be less than 60 years of age. The process of choosing the support staff will continue on Tuesday.

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