Following Troy Cooley’s exit from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) late last year, the Board took steps to explore an overseas bowling-coaching appointment for its Bengaluru setup. A few foreign candidates were considered, and Steffan Jones—an England-based bowling coach with a strong reputation—was reportedly close to being brought in. However, those plans have not fully progressed at this stage, and the BCCI has now shifted focus toward Indian coaches to fill the upcoming CoE roles.
How the CoE staffing plans evolved
After Cooley left the CoE, the BCCI examined options to bring in another specialist bowling coach from abroad for the Bengaluru facility. Interviews with multiple overseas coaches were held, and Jones emerged as a leading possibility. Still, the transition did not materialise as expected, prompting the board to look at domestic talent—among them former India pacers VRV Singh and Lakshmipathy Balaji—for the CoE positions.
Coaching appointments and likely timing
The changes are tied to a recruitment process for 10 new coaches that was initiated after an advertisement was issued in February. The newly appointed group is expected to assume responsibilities once the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season ends. With several of the selected coaches currently linked to IPL franchises, the switch is likely to be timed around the completion of the league campaign.
- VRV Singh and Lakshmipathy Balaji are among the Indian coaches set to join the CoE.
- The 10 new CoE appointments are connected to a recruitment drive that began with an advertisement in February.
- The new staff are expected to take charge after the current IPL season concludes.
Who could join the bowling group and other specialist roles
In addition to VRV Singh and L Balaji, P Krishnakumar is viewed as a potential third bowling coach. Krishnakumar coaches the Jammu and Kashmir side, which won the Ranji Trophy this year, and his background includes working with a range of fast-bowling and pace-bowling prospects such as Auqib Nabi, Yudhvir Singh and Umran Malik.
For batting coaching, the BCCI is understood to have identified Yere Goud, a former Karnataka all-rounder. The 54-year-old played 134 first-class matches and 49 List A games between 1994 and 2011, and is expected to be part of a two-member batting coaching team.
Fielding coaching will be handled by Dishant Yagnik, one of four fielding coaches selected. Yagnik, who previously played for Rajasthan and Rajasthan Royals, is currently working as the fielding coach of Kolkata Knight Riders. The board is also understood to have zeroed in on Sunetra Paranjpe, a former India women’s cricketer.
- P Krishnakumar is a likely candidate to be the third bowling coach, alongside VRV Singh and L Balaji.
- Krishnakumar has coached Auqib Nabi, Yudhvir Singh and Umran Malik.
- Yere Goud is set to join the batting coaching staff as part of a two-member group.
- Dishant Yagnik has been selected as one of the fielding coaches; he is currently with Kolkata Knight Riders.
- Sunetra Paranjpe has been shortlisted for a CoE coaching role.
Steffan Jones talks and where things stand
While the board has moved toward Indian hires, discussions with Steffan Jones had reportedly reached an advanced stage. Those familiar with the matter believed that the 52-year-old—who has extensive experience in County cricket—would take up the CoE role in Bengaluru. It remains unclear what has stalled the arrangement or whether conversations will resume, but it is known that Jones was recently in Hyderabad for a private coaching engagement.
- Troy Cooley left the BCCI Centre of Excellence in late last year.
- The BCCI explored overseas bowling-coach options and held interviews.
- Steffan Jones was nearing finalisation, but the plan has not materialised so far.
- VRV Singh and Lakshmipathy Balaji are now set to be part of the CoE coaching intake.
- P Krishnakumar could complete the bowling coaching group, with Yere Goud, Sunetra Paranjpe and Dishant Yagnik among the other selections.
