Narendra Modi, MS Dhoni, Amit Shah: Fake applicants use famous names for India cricket head coach job

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has received over 3,000 applications for the post of head coach of the men's senior team after opening the process earlier this month. The deadline to apply for the position was May 27 and according to reports, several fake applicants have used the names offamous personalities such as Sachin Tendulkar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shahand former captain MS Dhoni to apply for the position.

BCCI had invited applications for the job on Google Forms and immediately witnesseda large number of fakeapplications for the post on a daily basis, according to a report in The Indian Express.

Notably, it was the same case last year when BCCI was looking for Rahul Dravid's replacement before giving him an extension. The officials of the richest cricket board in the world said using Google Forms allowed for easy scrutiny of the applications but it also came with its own set of challenges.

Dravid's contract as the head coach of the men's senior national team expires after the T20 World Cup and the former Indian captain is not looking to extend his tenure this time.

Long-term coach required

In the job application,BCCI stipulated that the candidate should be below 60 years of age and must have played a minimum of 30 Tests or 50 ODIs. It added that the applicant should have performed a similar role as a full member of Test nation for a minimum of two years.

"The selection process will include a thorough review of applications, followed by personal interviews and assessments of shortlisted candidates," the job description added.

Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, has made it clear that there will be no split coaching duties - meaning any former player who takes up the job, will have to be on the road for 10 months a year.

"We are looking for a long-term coach for three years. There is no precedent of different coaches for different formats in Indian cricket. Besides, we have a number of all-format players. Ultimately, it will be the Cricket Advisory Committee's (CAC) call. I have to implement what they decide," said Shah.

Currently, former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir and Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming are being touted as the favourites to take over the job.

(With inputs from agencies)