3 Current Indian players who could take up a coaching role once they retire

Indian players love to play a role in the coaching staff once they retire. With the BCCI setting up a few coaching roles for retired Indian players, some experienced Indians find a place in the coaching staff.

Ravi Shastri, the 56-year all-rounder who made his international debut against New Zealand in 1981, is currently acting as the head coach of the Indian team. Shastri scored nearly 7000 runs in his 230 international games and also took 280 wickets. He then worked as an interim coach for the Indian team in 2007.

Shastri is well known for his commentary off the field. He returned to the Indian support staff as Indian team director in 2014 and ended the tenure in 2016.

Anil Kumble, the former India captain, was in the news last year for his rift with Indian skipper Virat Kohli. BCCI had appointed Kumble as the Head Coach for 2016-17.

Every one of us remembers the tenure of Gary Kirsten, who helped India win their second World Cup.

Not only the Head Coach role, but other roles including batting coach, fielding coach, and bowling coach are equally important. These posts have been given to retired Indian cricketers like Sanjay Bangar, Bharat Arun, and Sridhar.

Let us look at a few current players who could take up the coaching duties of Team India once they retire.

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#3 Cheteshwar Pujara (Batting Coach)

Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara made his international debut against Australia in 2010. He then made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in 2013. Pujara went on to cement his spot in the Indian test squad, but he was overlooked by selectors in limited overs as his strike rate was not impressive.

He was part of Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Kings XI Punjab in the past. However, the Saurashtra batsman hasn't been part of any IPL franchise for the last two years. He has plenty of experience playing county cricket though.

Cheteshwar Pujara is currently at No. 6 in the latest Test batting rankings. His next goal would be to conquer England.

Pujara's recent form in Tests looks promising, and the 30-year-old has scored 14 centuries in 58 games. His assistance in batting would help youngsters overcome the fear of playing overseas.

Pujara's Test performance:

Test: Matches - 58; Runs - 4531; Hundreds- 14

#2 Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Bowling Coach)

Siddharth Kaul and Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The swing king made his T20 debut against Pakistan in 2012, and then made his ODI debut against the same opponent in December 2012.

Bhuvneshwar made an impact early on with his ability to swing the ball. After making his Test debut against Australia in 2013, he went on to cement his spot in the national squad and is likely to be picked for the 2019 World Cup.

The 28-year-old pacer is currently a part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League. He made his IPL debut against Kings XI Punjab in 2011.

Bhuvneshwar has achieved some great heights in world cricket, and is one of the best death bowlers today. He was the recipient of the Purple Cap in 2016 and 2017, taking 23 and 26 wickets respectively.

In the last few seasons of the IPL, Bhuvi has given some valuable tips to the other pace bowlers. Siddharth Kaul's debut for India came after his heroics with the ball in this year's IPL, and Kaul's heroics were indirectly related to Bhuvneshwar as his assistance helped the youngster a lot.

If the BCCI appoints him as a bowling consultant in the future, he might help a lot of youngsters.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar's overall performance:

ODI: Matches - 87; Wickets - 90; Best Figures - 5/42

Test: Matches - 21; Wickets - 63; Best Figures - 8/96

#1 M.S. Dhoni (Head Coach)

Kuldeep Yadav and M.S. Dhoni

The former Indian skipper made his international debut against Bangladesh in 2004. He went on to score more than 15000 runs, and is still an integral part of the Indian setup in limited overs.

Dhoni as a captain was equally good, and helped India win all three ICC tournaments. These include ICC World Cup, T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy. He is the only captain to do so.

The wicketkeeper batsman is known for his big hitting and finishing. He brings lots of experience to the Indian side with his valuable inputs.

Dhoni is currently part of the Chennai Super Kings franchise and he helped them win three IPL trophies.

MSD fits the bill of a head coach perfectly and could help the youngsters a great deal. Anil Kumble, the former Indian skipper, was the head coach for 2016-17 and helped India dominate in the subcontinent. MSD can look to replicate the success of Anil Kumble as they have both been captains of the Indian team.

The BCCI would surely consider him for a coaching role in the future once he retires.

MSD's overall performance:

ODI: Matches - 321; Runs - 10046; Average - 51.26; Hundreds - 10

Test: Matches - 90; Runs - 4876; Average - 38.09; Hundreds - 6