Coach dilemma: No future for Paras Mhambrey? Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan in demand

Ajit Agarkar, Paras Mhambrey and Zaheer Khan

The Indian team management have expressed their desire to the Indian cricket board to have someone more experienced than Paras Mhambrey as their bowling coach.

It is understood that the team management want Ajit Agarkar or Zaheer Khan as they could add more substance to the Indian pace attack.

Sources told mid-day that the Indian team management are looking to prepare well in advance for the T20 World Cup which will be held later this year in Australia and the 50-over ICC World Cup to be played in India next year.

Mhambrey, who played two Tests and three ODIs, was brought in as the bowling coach when Rahul Dravid was appointed head coach after Ravi Shastri and his team of support staff did not wish to renew their contracts after the last T20 World Cup.

Agarkar featured in 26 Tests, 191 ODIs and four T20Is with nearly 350 international wickets under his belt.

Zaheer, who is currently part of the Mumbai Indians set up, played 92 Tests, 200 ODIs and 17 T20Is for 610 international wickets.

Before Mhambrey took up the India bowling coach job, he worked extensively with junior India cricketers at the National Cricket Academy with Dravid.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that Agarkar has signed up with Delhi Capitals as their bowling coach for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). The Mumbai stalwart will work with Australian legend and head coach Ricky Ponting for the franchise.

This is the first coaching stint for Agarkar, who did commentary post retirement. His forthcoming role at Delhi Capitals could well be a precursor to the India job.