BCCI says speaking Hindi not compulsory for Indian coach job

The BCCI has reportedly clarified its stance on the knowledge of Hindi and other Indian languages being a criterion for coaching the Indian team. Out of the nine parameters based on which a suitable candidate for the Indian coach job will be picked, there is one which states “communication skills befitting the coach of an International team are mandatory, along with the ability to effectively convey the right messages and must demonstrate proficiency in English. It is desirable to communicate in Hindi and other regional Indian languages.” This led to speculation that the board is focusing on an Indian to take up the role and foreign coaches may not be eligible.

New BCCI secretary, Ajay Shirke, though, was quick to shrug off such notions and explained, “It is not a compulsion, but desirable. Anyway, it doesn't take much time to learn Hindi, or for the players to learn English. A candidate may get less marks if he doesn't know Hindi, but he may score more points in other areas.”

Shirke also threw light on the process being used to shortlist the ideal candidates for the job. He said, “We'll be going through an entire process, which will be transparent. A panel, which will include former cricketers with an impeccable record will scrutinise all the applications, and 'grade' the applicants. In the final stage, we (top Board officials) will take a call after consulting these ex-players, to go for which of the best three-four applicants.”

There is another parameter which expects that those applying for the post “should have also successfully coached a cricket team of any of the member countries of the ICC, at the first class or at the International level.” Two of the names which are often being associated with the Indian coach job, Rahul Dravid and Daniel Vettori, may find it tough to meet this criterion.

Among other requirements, there is one which states, “It is preferred that the candidate should be qualified through a certification assessment program conducted by any of the full member countries and currently possess such a valid certification.”

Considering the fact that there is such a detailed process in place to select the Indian coach this time around, it promises to be an interesting decision for the BCCI to make.