As BCCI is hunting for a new coach they had invited applications from interested candidates in the month of May.
Anil Kumble”s name was automatically drafted in while Virender Sehwag, Lalchand Rajput, Tom Moody, Richard Pybus and Dodda Ganesh threw their hats in the ring. The last date to submit application was 31st May.
The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising of legendary batsmen Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman is handed over the responsibility of selecting India”s coach. It”s upto CAC to decide whether to conduct interviews of the candidates or renew Kumble”s contract.
After Champions Trophy India are all set for a short limited overs tour to Caribbean consisting of 5 ODIS and 1 T20I commencing from 23 June. The Champions Trophy ends on 18 June and hence there is only 4 clear days gap should India reach the final.
This time too short to bring in a big change like new coach. Hence it is thought by the BCCI officials that Kumble should be retained for Caribbean tour and if new coach is picked he should take over the reins from Sri Lanka tour which starts in August.
“BCCI president CK Khanna has suggested that as Champions Trophy is still on, it will be not feasible to take decision on Indian team coach now. The Champions Trophy final will get over on 18th whereas Indian team is leaving for West Indies on 20th. There is no time left at the same time if CAC picks a new coach he may not join Indian team. So it’s better to extend Kumble contract for one more series.” a BCCI official was quoted saying.
The new coach picked by the CAC will be ratified by BCCI on 26 June at an SGM. The CAC has already given an indication that they are keen to retain Kumble as coach, reason being the tremendous success team India has enjoyed under his coaching and hence situation doesn”t demand a change.
– by Atharva Apte
