4 best choices for the position of Team India's Head Coach

After suffering a shocking exit in the semifinals of the Cricket World Cup 2019, India have started their next cricketing cycle with a tour to West Indies with an eye on the T20 World Cup in 2020. This series to the Caribbean will also be the last series for the current support staff.

BCCI has invited applications for various posts including the head coach. Ravi Shastri, the current head coach, has expressed his interest to continue and has a strong chance to be re-appointed.

Although it is difficult to rate the performance of a coach, the results during his tenure are the best available parameter. India have done exceedingly in all formats with the win percentage greater than 75. Shastri has got the backing of the captain and is a front-runner for the job.

Yet, the BCCI has appointed a Cricket Advisory Committee led by Kapil Dev to find out the next coach for India. On that note, let's look at four best choices to coach apart from Ravi Shastri.

#4 Mike Hesson

Hesson's man-management skills make him a valid candidate

Mike Hesson was the former coach of New Zealand and was their longest-serving cricket coach. Regarded as an astute thinker of the game, he was the pioneer in shaping up New Zealand cricket from 2012 to 2018. One of his bravest decisions was recommending Ross Taylor to hand over the captaincy to Brendon McCullum.

It changed the way they played the game, as McCullum's aggressive approach helped them qualify for the World Cup finals in 2015 and also win series in South Africa and England.

Despite asking Taylor to step down, his equation with him was good and the right-hander had his best run in international cricket under Hesson's tenure. This explains the cordial relationship he shares with players.

His secret of success was his ability to hand-pick talents who could shine in international cricket. Jimmy Neesham, Matt Henry, and Corey Anderson are some of his picks.

Hesson could be a good choice for India which has a large pool of players to choose from. The New Zealander might help in giving the best of opportunities to the best available ones.

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#3 Lalchand Rajput

Lalchand was part of India's white-ball transition in 2007-08

Lalchand Rajput was one of the few Indian coaches who tasted success with the Indian team. When India won the inaugural World T20 in 2007, Rajput was in charge of the team as the team manager. He was also at the helm of affairs when India won the CB series in Australia in 2008.

He was the assistant coach for India during the initial days of Gary Kirsten's appointment. He has been a successful coach for teams like Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. Under his tenure, Afghanistan challenged many top teams and went on to beat the likes of West Indies and Bangladesh.

In May 2018, he was appointed as a head coach of Zimbabwe on an interim basis and in August he was appointed as the full-time coach. Zimbabwe won their first away test in 17 years when they beat Bangladesh in 2018. Rajput is one who understands Indian cricket better than most of the coaches who have applied and could be a good choice to take over.

#2 Pravin Amre

Amre has helped Rahane at different times

Just like Mumbai's habit of producing great batsmen, the city has also given some good batting coaches. Pravin Amre was one such guy who has helped batsmen overcome their technical difficulties. Amre was coached by Ramakant Achrekar who was the first coach of Sachin Tendulkar.

Pravin went onto coach the Indian U-19 team that won the World Cup in Australia in 2012. More than this, he has been the savior to many Indian batsmen when they go through a rough phase. The best example was India's vice-captain in Tests, Ajinkya Rahane. Under the guidance of Amre, Rahane had specific training before the tour of South Africa and New Zealand in 2013/14 where he played crucial knocks.

Amre also helped Suresh Raina to overcome his struggle against short-pitched deliveries. Robin Uthappa had a stellar IPL 2014 and it was Amre who corrected his shortcomings. With the current batting coach, Sanjay Bangar's extension is unlikely, the Mumbai man could be India's next batting coach.

#1 Tom Moody

Moody's contribution is evident with SRH's performance

If there is one guy who could displace Ravi Shastri from the position of head coach, then it has to be Tom Moody. The Australian has always expressed his interest to coach team India. He lost out to Greg Chappell in 2005, Gary Kirsten in 2008, Anil Kumble in 2016, and even Ravi Shastri in 2017.

Yet the 53-year-old has put his name once again. He has rich experience in coaching having tasted success all over the world. His last assignment with an international team was with Sri Lanka where he guided them to the final of the 2007 World Cup. He also had successful stints in IPL first with Kings XI Punjab (2008-2010).

His 7-year association with Sunrisers Hyderabad since its inception into the IPL had fruitful results with five playoffs along with a title in 2016. His man-management skills are seen as a key to his prolonged success in the coaching arena. The mastermind thinker in him will benefit Indian cricket if he takes over.