The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning to strengthen the country's pace-bowling resources by hiring three fast-bowling coaches at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
Frontrunners for the roles
According to sources, former India pacers Lakshmipathy Balaji and VRV Singh are leading candidates for two of the positions. P Krishna Kumar, who has shown promising results with the Jammu and Kashmir team, is also in the running. Former India bowlers Vinay Kumar and Tinu Yohanan have also been interviewed for the role.
The fast-bowling coach position at the CoE has been vacant since Troy Cooley completed his tenure late last year.
Three distinct roles
It is understood that the CoE plans to appoint one fast-bowling coach specifically to work with bowlers in the age-group system, starting from the Under-16 level. Another coach will focus on bowlers in the Indian team's scheme and those training at the CoE to refine their skills. The third coach will assist in coordinating the transition pathway for fast bowlers. The CoE already follows a similar structure for strength and conditioning coaches and physiotherapists.
Sources said the BCCI and CoE have recognized the need for a more robust approach to developing a larger pool of fast bowlers. The national selectors had introduced a fast-bowling contract scheme in 2024 for emerging pacers, but it was discontinued the following year.
Challenges in player development
It has been observed that several young fast bowlers have struggled to maintain progress after breaking into the scene. The India A programme is no longer as strong as it was during Rahul Dravid's tenure overseeing developmental teams and the erstwhile National Cricket Academy (NCA). During that period, a group of bowlers remained under close supervision of Dravid and former bowling coach Paras Mhambrey. Umran Malik's decline is seen as an example of why raw fast bowlers need sustained guidance and monitoring.
Other appointments
Apart from the fast-bowling hires, former Rajasthan wicketkeeper Dishant Yagnik may take over as a fielding coach at the CoE. Meanwhile, Dhananjay Kaushik has been promoted to head of sports medicine, replacing Nitin Patel.
