Venkatesh Prasad, Balwinder Sandhu Apply For Team India's Head Coach Job

The Board of Control for Cricket in India's task of selecting the next head coach of Indian cricket team is not going to be an easy one with former speedsters Venkatesh Prasad and Balwinder Singh Sandhu also having thrown their hat into the ring.

According to Mid-day, Sandhu, a member of the famous squad that won the 1983 World Cup, has applied for the coveted post. Prasad applied on Wednesday morning.

"I am aware that Sandeep and Ravi have applied for the job. I wish my teammates the best," Sandhu said. While Patil is the current chief national selector, Shastri was Team India director till the end of the World T20.

Sandhu, who played eight Tests and 22 One Day Internationals, is hailed for taking the very first wicket of the epic final at Lord's, in which he bowled the fearsome West Indian opener Gordon Greenidge.

Ever since quitting first-class cricket, he has been involved in coaching at all levels. Sandhu's high point came when Mumbai, under his guidance, trounced Mark Taylor-led Australian side by 10 wickets in 1998.

Venkatesh Prasad also in fray

Meanwhile, former Indian fast bowler Prasad is also a contender. "I have applied this morning," Prasad, who is currently the chairman of the BCCI junior selecting committee, told PTI.

Prasad was India's bowling coach when the side under Mahendra Singh Dhoni's captaincy had won the inaugural ICC World T20 in 2007. He remained in the role till 2009, and later worked with IPL franchises Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Recently, speculations were abuzz about him replacing Heath Streak as Bangladesh bowling coach, but former Karnataka pacer Prasad insisted he wished to serve the Indian team.

Prasad represented India in 33 Tests and 161 ODIs, taking 96 and 196 wickets, respectively. The cricket fans still remember the five-wicket haul the lanky pacer took against arch-rivals Pakistan during the 1999 World Cup encounter in Manchester.

The BCCI has set June 10 as the deadline for receiving applications for the post.