BENGALURU: Nearly two decades after relying mainly on internal shortlisting, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has opened applications for a broad set of cricket support and decision-making roles, including coaching and selection positions.
Key takeaways
- The KSCA has moved to an open application system for multiple cricketing roles, replacing the earlier internal screening approach.
- The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) driving the process includes Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Joshi, along with KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad and vice-president Sujith Somasundar.
- Applications are being sought for roles spanning selectors, coaches, performance analysts, masseurs, and sidearm specialists across both age-group and senior setups for men and women.
- Coaching applicants must hold a BCCI Level 1 certification, with a maximum age limit of 60.
- Selectors are required to have represented Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy, while women selectors must have played for the state senior women’s team.
- The KSCA notification sets May 11 as the application deadline, with interviews and hiring targeted for completion before the month ends.
Why KSCA has opened the roles
Until now, the KSCA primarily screened applicants through internal checks for candidates who expressed interest. That approach has changed following a resolution by the Cricket Advisory Committee during a meeting on Saturday, with an open process now in place.
The CAC includes former internationals Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Rahul Dravid and Sunil Joshi, with Venkatesh Prasad—also a former teammate—serving as KSCA president. Sujith Somasundar, a former KSCA vice-president, is part of the panel as well.
Somasundar said the decision is rooted in “transparency, integrity, honesty” and a value-led method, pointing out that the committee brings together some of the best names in cricket. He added that opening the process allows the association to widen its pool of choices, including candidates who might otherwise be outside its usual radar.
He further argued that the move is fair to the wider cricket community, saying it ensures people across the fraternity can apply and be heard. Somasundar also emphasised that the intent is to cover talent more comprehensively rather than relying only on those already known to the system.
What roles are open and eligibility details
KSCA has invited applications for key positions including selectors, coaches, performance analysts, masseurs and sidearm specialists. These vacancies cover both age-group and senior teams, and the process applies for men’s and women’s setups. The association has also kept roles open within its KSCA high-performance academy.
For coaching roles, the minimum requirement is a BCCI Level 1 certification, and applicants must be no older than 60 years. Selector positions for different age groups and senior teams come with a condition that the candidate must have represented Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy. For women’s selection roles, the requirement is that applicants should have played for the state senior women’s team.
There is also a restriction on holding overlapping commitments: applicants should not be involved in any conflicting roles under the BCCI or any of its affiliated bodies.
Preference for local candidates, but not a limit
While applications are open nationwide, Somasundar said the KSCA would prefer candidates who come from Karnataka. He explained that the preference supports the association’s wider vision—expanding opportunities not only for players but also for other stakeholders across the state. In his view, coaches and support staff from within the region tend to understand local culture and background more naturally.
He added that in high-performance roles, relationships are crucial, and rapport with players is often easier when there is familiarity in both culture and language. Somasundar also expressed confidence that the system already has many capable coaches.
At the same time, he clarified that the association is not placing a hard cap on applications from outside Karnataka. “While we are looking for candidates from Karnataka, we are not limiting it,” he said.
Timeline: notification and interview plans
The KSCA issued a notification on its website on Sunday, with May 11 set as the deadline for submitting applications. Somasundar said the organisation is hopeful to complete the interview and hiring process by the end of the month.
