In what is already being dubbed one of the most explosive controversies in Indian cricket history, the BCCI shocked fans and pundits alike by appointing a new head coach during the ongoing Edgbaston Test — and the man in question once served jail time for involvement in match-fixing!
The stunning announcement dropped just before stumps on Day 2 of the Test, sending shockwaves through the cricketing world. The newly appointed coach, a former India international who was arrested and convicted in a fixing scandal over a decade ago, is now set to lead the national team — a move sparking unprecedented backlash and raising questions about the BCCI’s vetting process.
Social media exploded as soon as the news broke, with hashtags like #FixerCoach, #BCCIChaos, and #CricketIntegrity trending worldwide. Thousands of fans voiced outrage that a figure with a tainted past could be entrusted with the responsibility of guiding India’s young stars.
Former cricketers also slammed the appointment, with one senior ex-India player telling a leading channel:
“This is beyond shocking. We’ve worked so hard to clean up the sport’s image. To now see a convicted fixer as the face of Indian cricket’s coaching staff is a slap in the face of every honest player.”
Adding to the chaos, reports suggest several senior players were unaware of the appointment until it was made public, and at least two members of the playing XI are said to be “deeply uncomfortable” with the decision. Sources claim a few players have already approached team management for clarity on how the appointment was approved mid-series.
Legal experts are also weighing in, with sports lawyer Devika Sharma saying:
“While there’s technically no rule preventing a person with a criminal record from being hired as coach, it’s shocking from an ethics and image standpoint.”
The BCCI, for its part, released a brief statement defending the choice, saying the coach had served his sentence and demonstrated commitment to the game in recent coaching roles. However, that explanation has done little to calm the storm, with opposition politicians and sports bodies demanding answers about how such a controversial figure was allowed back into Indian cricket at the highest level.
Meanwhile, cricket boards around the world are reportedly watching the fallout closely, concerned that India’s decision could undermine the global fight against corruption in cricket.
Will the BCCI backtrack under mounting pressure, or will they stand by this most controversial of coaching appointments?