The BCCI has invited former India greats Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan to conduct specialized camps at the Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru, and the “Targetted Players” have been asked to attend.
The BCCI has prepared the list of the targeted players based on prospective senior India prospects who have excelled at the age group and first class levels, as well as who have represented India A and possibly played a few games for the senior squad.
Former left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan is already in Bengaluru for a five-day session with the young pacers who may be approaching senior teams or have played for them.
According to reports, VVS Laxman, the COE’s Head of Cricket, asked his former teammates to participate in four to five-day specialized camps in order to prepare the next generation of Indian cricketers.
“Laxman approached Zaheer, Harbhajan and Anil Kumble for specialised camps. Bhajji is trying to work out the dates for four-five day ‘Off-spinners’ camp’. He is looking forward to help the upcoming prospects who have done well at the age-group and India A level and work with them.
“This is a welcome initiative where those who have played 100 plus Tests for India are sharing their experiences with Gen-Next,” PTI quoted a BCCI source as saying.
Anil Kumble, who has taken the most wickets in both Test matches and One-Day Internationals for India, may have been asked to conduct a wrist spinners’ camp.
Since many of these players would need to connect with their individual Indian Premier League (IPL) teams, it is expected that the specialized camps will take place prior to the commencement of the league. Former greats were invited to specialized camps at the former NCA when Jagmohan Dalmiya became the BCCI chief.
At different Zonal Cricket Academy (ZCA) camps in the past, players like Chandu Borde, Erapalli Prasanna, and Syed Kirmani coached and mentored young cricketers.
Prominent figures who have been sought for the position of fast bowling coach at the Center of Excellence include former India pacers VRV Singh and Srinath Aravind.
Both VRV and Aravind have experience working at different age group camps at the COE, and these are permanent staff roles. Additionally, both have finished their different BCCI Level courses.
The BCCI is also looking for a head of pace bowling at the COE after Englishman Troy Cooley, who is now 60 years old, left. Former Indian bowler Sunil Joshi is currently in charge of the spin bowling division.
