BCCI Revamps Coaching Staff at Bengaluru's Centre of Excellence

Coaching Overhaul at BCCI's Centre of Excellence

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is implementing a major transformation in its coaching setup at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) located in Bengaluru. Following the retirement of Troy Cooley late last year, the facility has been on the lookout for a full-time fast bowling coach. Initially, the BCCI engaged in discussions with international candidates, including England's Steffan Jones, but has now shifted its focus to leveraging domestic expertise. Former Indian fast bowlers VRV Singh and Laxmipathy Balaji, who previously collaborated with Cooley, are among the frontrunners for the position. They are anticipated to assume their roles after the conclusion of IPL 2026 on May 31.

In addition to Singh and Balaji, P. Krishnakumar is also in the running for the fast bowling coaching position. He has recently garnered attention for leading Jammu and Kashmir to their first Ranji Trophy title, playing a pivotal role in nurturing the J&K bowling squad and mentoring players like Auqib Nabi, Sunil Kumar, and Yudhvir Singh.

BCCI's Search for Additional Coaching Talent

Aside from the fast bowling coach, the CoE is actively seeking to enhance its overall coaching staff. Yere Goud, a former all-rounder from Karnataka, is the top candidate for the batting coach role. Furthermore, notable personalities such as Sunetra Paranjpe, Nooshin Al Khadeer, and VR Vanitha are being considered for various coaching positions at the Bengaluru facility.

For the fielding coach role, Dishant Yagnik, a former wicketkeeper for Rajasthan and currently the fielding coach for Kolkata Knight Riders, is a leading contender. Yagnik played a significant role in the success of the Jammu and Kashmir team during their Ranji Trophy triumph. Other candidates for fielding responsibilities include Milap Mewada and Shabarish Mohan. However, it is still uncertain whether the BCCI has finalized candidates for specialized roles such as performance analyst, head of education, and head of the sports science and medical team.