BCCI coach hunt: Longlist of 57 cut to 21, final decision on June 24

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has shortlisted 21 names from the 57, who had sent in their application for the new head coach of the Indian cricket team, BCCI announced on Wednesday.

It is reported that the longlist was trimmed down by BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke's office, and it will then handed to the BCCI's cricket advisory committee, comprising of former veteran players such as Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman.

The release from the office of BCCI secretary also said that Sanjay Jagdale, who will act as Chief Co-ordinator of this committee, will process and scrutinise all the applications, conduct interviews and seek presentations from candidates as the committee deems fit.

Should the committee desire to look at all the 57 applications as well, the said will be made available to them, the statement read.

BCCI is likely to name the new head coach of the Indian cricket team on June 24 in Dharamsala, where the board's Working Committee is scheduled to meet for discussions.

Former cricketers Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble, Venkatesh Prasad and Sandeep Patil, chairman of the national selection panel, are some of the notable names that have made it to the final list.BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke speaking to India Today indicated that the board officials' role may be limited once the candidates are shortlisted

"Shortlisting starts from those who meet the criteria and those who don't and from there on the process goes further. BCCI will merely choose and recommend based on the merits of the coach," he said.