The Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) in India has shifted its focus toward Indian coaches for key roles at the National Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru after plans to appoint a foreign bowling expert failed to materialize.
Following the departure of renowned Australian bowling coach Troy Cooley late last year, the BCCI had explored overseas options to strengthen its fast-bowling development setup. Among the leading candidates was English bowling specialist Steffan Jones, who reportedly came close to securing the role.
However, with those discussions currently stalled, the board has instead moved toward appointing experienced Indian coaches to oversee the next phase of player development at the Centre of Excellence.
Focus Shifts to Domestic Coaching Talent
Former India pacers VRV Singh and Lakshmipathy Balaji are now expected to become part of the new coaching structure at the Bengaluru facility.
The appointments are believed to be among a broader expansion involving 10 new coaching staff members for the Centre of Excellence, for which the BCCI had issued advertisements earlier this year.
The new appointees are likely to formally assume their duties after the conclusion of the ongoing Indian Premier League season, particularly because several candidates are currently associated with IPL franchises.
Strong Bowling Expertise Added to CoE
Apart from VRV Singh and Balaji, respected domestic coach P Krishnakumar is also expected to join the Centre of Excellence setup as a bowling coach.
Krishnakumar has built a strong reputation in Indian domestic cricket, especially through his work with the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team, who recently won the Ranji Trophy.
He has also played a major role in developing several promising Indian fast bowlers, including Umran Malik, Yudhvir Singh, and Auqib Nabi.
The BCCI had advertised for three bowling coach positions, and the board now appears to have finalized the candidates for those roles.
Yere Goud to Strengthen Batting Department
Former Karnataka all-rounder Yere Goud is expected to become one of the batting coaches at the Centre of Excellence.
Goud enjoyed a lengthy domestic career, playing 134 first-class matches and 49 List A games between 1994 and 2011. Known for his technical understanding and experience in domestic cricket structures, he is expected to be part of a two-member batting coaching group.
His inclusion reflects the BCCI’s preference for coaches with deep familiarity with India’s domestic cricket ecosystem and player pathways.
Sunetra Paranjpe Set for Coaching Role
The BCCI is also understood to have shortlisted former India women’s cricketer Sunetra Paranjpe for a role within the Centre of Excellence structure.
Her inclusion would further strengthen the board’s efforts to integrate experienced former players into high-performance development programs across men’s and women’s cricket.
Dishant Yagnik Among Fielding Coaches
Former Rajasthan wicketkeeper-batter Dishant Yagnik is expected to be among the four fielding coaches selected for the Centre of Excellence.
Yagnik is currently associated with Kolkata Knight Riders as their fielding coach and has steadily earned recognition for his work in modern fielding systems and athletic development.
Fielding has become one of the most critical aspects of modern cricket, especially in white-ball formats, and the BCCI appears focused on creating specialized coaching units in that department.
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Why the Steffan Jones Deal Stalled
Talks with Steffan Jones reportedly progressed to an advanced stage, and many within Indian cricket believed the English coach would eventually join the Centre of Excellence.
Jones is widely respected for his innovative methods in fast-bowling conditioning, biomechanics, and workload management. He has worked extensively in County cricket and has developed a reputation for combining sports science with technical coaching.
However, the reasons behind the stalled negotiations remain unclear. Whether discussions could resume in the future is also uncertain.
Interestingly, Jones was recently in Hyderabad for a private coaching assignment, indicating his continued involvement with Indian cricket circles despite the unfinished BCCI discussions.
Strategic Shift Toward Indian Coaches
The latest developments suggest a broader strategic shift within the BCCI toward strengthening domestic coaching expertise rather than relying heavily on overseas specialists.
Indian cricket has increasingly focused on building self-sustaining coaching ecosystems powered by former players, domestic coaches, and specialized mentors familiar with Indian conditions and player development structures.
This approach may also help ensure greater continuity between grassroots cricket, domestic competitions, the IPL, and the national setup.
Importance of the Centre of Excellence
The Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru remains one of the most important institutions in Indian cricket. It serves as the primary high-performance hub for player rehabilitation, skill development, fitness monitoring, and talent grooming across all levels.
With India managing an enormous pool of talent across formats, the quality of coaching at the CoE plays a major role in shaping future international cricketers.
The appointments of experienced domestic coaches could therefore have long-term implications for India’s cricketing pipeline.
 BCCI Prioritizes Domestic Expertise
After initially exploring overseas options following Troy Cooley’s exit, the BCCI now appears committed to reinforcing its Centre of Excellence with Indian coaching talent.
With names like Lakshmipathy Balaji, VRV Singh, P Krishnakumar, Yere Goud, and Dishant Yagnik expected to join the setup, the board is building a structure rooted in domestic experience and modern coaching specialization.
As Indian cricket continues evolving into one of the world’s most advanced cricketing systems, the Centre of Excellence remains central to that vision—and these appointments may shape the next generation of Indian players for years to come.