5 foreigners who could become India's next coach

Anurag Thakur, the new BCCI head has announced the board's intent of inviting applications for India’s coaching staff, including head coach, but the BCCI is yet to post the advertisement as promised.

The team is going to Zimbabwe without a full-time coach, with Sanjay Bangar acting as an interim solution.

We take a look at the possible candidates that can be roped in and might be great for Indian cricket.

Stephen Fleming

The former New Zealand skipper knows Indian cricket and Indian cricketers very well. Few doubt his tactical acumen as a cricketer and as a manager. His records as the captain of New Zealand is a testament to the fact that he is one of the best thinkers of the game.

As a coach too, he has tasted success and is now one of the most acclaimed coaches around. Along with MS Dhoni, Fleming led Chennai Super Kings to two IPL victories.

Also, he is the coach of Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League and has led them to the semi-finals.

Fleming also has the confidence of limited overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and this could be an added advantage.

Daniel Vettori

Much like Stephen Fleming, Daniel Vettori becomes a good candidate for the top job of Indian cricket. He is the coach of the Royal Challengers Bangalore and knows the environment and the psyche of Indian cricket.

Vettori has spent a long time with Royal Challengers and Virat Kohli and there seems to be a bond and a sense of trust between them. Sooner rather than later, Kohli will take over as the captain in all formats and having a trusted aide by his side will bode well for the Indian team.

Ricky Ponting

Speak to any Mumbai Indians player and they will give an account of the influence of Ricky Ponting. Ever since he took over as the coach, things have improved for the franchise.

He also has an eye to unearth talents and then give them the freedom to express themselves. The rise of the Pandya brothers has a stamp of Ricky Ponting all over them.

Apart from all this, he knows how to win matches and make the team fight till the last straw. These credentials will only act as a catalyst and will boost the National team. He is a brilliant analyst of the game as can be understood when he picks up a microphone and commentates on matches.

Certainly a candidate to keep an eye on!

Jason Gillespie

Jason Gillespie has done wonders with Yorkshire. Ever since he took over the county he has done wonders for the club. Yorkshire won two County Championships and have strongly started this season too.

Gillespie was in line for the England head coach, but then the deal did not go through. He is now linked with the Australia as the bowling coach, and his credentials keep growing.

He might be a good catch for India considering the fact that he has enough experience playing in India.

Paddy Upton

The South African-born coach has been earning praises for his coaching and man-management all over. His approach and calm demeanour has stood out and his reputation is only growing.

He has worked as the physical fitness trainer for the South Africa cricket team and the rugby team of Western Cape Province. He has worked as the mental conditioning coach of Indian Cricket Team which became No.1 in World Test Rankings and the team which won ICC World Cup in 2011.

He has also been the coach of Rajasthan Royals and has helped many youngsters coming up the ranks. Also, he was the head coach of the Sydney Thunders which won the Big Bash League this season.

Upton was also the coach of Delhi Daredevils and because of the Indian experience he knows his way around the Indian youngsters.

A dark horse for the top job.