Dubai: As the July 9 deadline to apply for the Indian coach’s post approaches, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is receiving more applications for the post.
Before former coach Anil Kumble announced his decision not to extend his term as coach there were only Virender Sehwag, Craig McDermott, Richard Pybus, Lalchand Rajput and Tom Moody in the fray. After BCCI extended their deadline, many top international cricketers too have applied.
Though Ravi Shastri is the latest to put in his application, many international cricket names hope that they may also stand a chance and have applied for the post. The reason for this confidence is because the BCCI may not want to fully give into a person acceptable to captain Virat Kohli as the next coach. Hence a foreign coach could be considered.
Shastri has emerged as top favourite but Sourav Ganguly, one of the three members of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) along with Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman, is not likely to back Shastri. The BCCI hasn’t revealed some of the latest names who have applied for the post, especially that of a former South African player. West Indies’ Phil Simmons has also applied for the post and some feel that he may emerge as a compromise candidate.
The first task of the CAC is to decide whether to go for an Indian coach, or like in the past, opt for a foreign coach. If they decide on an Indian coach the race will be between Shastri and Sehwag. Both the candidates are Tendulkar’s favourites. The only reason that can go against Sehwag is his lack of experience being with the Indian team. It is here that Venkatesh Prasad, who was one of the late applicants, is likely to be considered.
Many believe that there could be a last minute surprise and that is the reason why the names of all those who have applied is still a heavily guarded secret. Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has predicted that Shastri will get the nod, being the India team director from August 2014 to June 2016.
Moody’s name was among the favourites but after BCCI extended their deadline it was clear that they are looking beyond Moody. It is also likely Rajput may be favoured if the CAC opt for a low profile and non-controversial coach. The BCCI is also understood to be pondering over appointing a professional manager for the Indian team. The reason is that Kapil Malhotra, who was Team India’s manager for the Champions Trophy, has strangely in his report not mentioned that there was any rift between the coach and the captain during the tournament.
The CAC will meet on July 10, the next day after the deadline for applications. Whether the next coach will be announced on July 10 or only after interviewing some of the candidates is not yet known.
