After Shastri who? Foreign coaches who can help power India's World Cup dream in 2023

BCCI has invited applications for the position of the head coach for the men's cricket team, which has been held by foreign coaches in 15 out of the last 17 years

In the last 17 years in Indian cricket, foreign recruits have been coaches for nearly 15 years.

John Wright, Gary Kirsten and Duncan Fletcher have been instrumental in India's success.

Former India all-rounder Shastri was appointed in 2017 and succeeded former captain Anil Kumble, who stepped down after a falling out with skipper Virat Kohli despite a successful run while in charge of the team.

Under Shastri's guidance, India won the maiden Test series in Australia earlier this year and were ranked number one in the world in the red ball format.

The contract of the current coaching staff is set to expire after the tour of the West Indies starting August 3, where India play three T20 internationals, three ODIs and two Tests.

Tom Moody is a familiar face for Indian cricket fans as he has been handling big names in the Indian Premier League as the coach for the Hydrabad team. 

Hyderabad were crowned champions of the IPL in 2016 under Moody. 

As the coach of a national team, Moody helped Sri Lanka reach the World Cup finals in 2007.

Tom Moody has been coaching several teams in different T20 cricketing leagues and his involvement with young talent can help shape India's future players for the highest form of international cricket.

England's head coach is currently relishing the World Cup glory. Australian Trevor Bayliss became the first head coach for England to lift the World Cup trophy.

With Bayliss' term with the England team ending in September, he can be the perfect leader to guide India in the next World Cup which will be held at home where the Team India will be under added pressure.

"I have always been a believer that four or five years is long enough, whether you are doing well or not," Bayliss had said earlier this week.

Bayliss took over as England coach in the summer of 2015, and he has led them to a complete transformation with the World Cup win being the latest feather in his hat.

Kirsten was appointed as the head coach for the Indian team in 2008.

Kirsten had had no prior coaching experience when he was given the responsibility of the Indian team.
 
But he turned around the fortune of the Indian team and helped them lift the 2011 50-over World Cup in addition to taking India to the top spot in the ICC Test rankings in 2009.

Kirsten took over as the coach of South Africa and had an equally successful time after resigning as India’s head coach.

India would take him with both hands if he applies for the post.

Mahela Jayawardene, as the coach of the Mumbai IPL franchise, in last three years, has helped them lift two IPL titles. 

What makes Jayawardene a good candidate for the post is that he is one of the greatest batsmen to have played the game. 

He is well aware of what a team needs to do in these days to excel and thus could be a fine man to coach India. 

As a player, Jayawardene represented Sri Lanka in more than 600 games across formats.

New Zealand's former opener Stephen Fleming is yet another experienced candidate for the job of Indian coach. 

His experience with Indian cricket is pretty comprehensive as he has had a successful stint with the Chennai team.

Having a coach who is known for his calm demeanour will be extremely helpful for the Indian side and Fleming fits the role perfectly.

Fleming has been the coach of the Chennai team since 2009 and has led them to win the IPL thrice - 2010, 2011 and 2018.

Kallis is considered one of the most successful all-rounders of modern-day cricket.

Kallis was the batting consultant for the Kolkata franchise in the IPL in 2015 and took over as the coach in the following season in 2016.

Kallis, known as one of the best all-rounders to have played the game of cricket, scored 13,289 runs and has taken 292 wickets in 166 Tests and scored 11,579 runs with 273 wickets in 328 ODI matches.

His experience in both Tests and ODI's will come in handy for the Indian side.