Big three look to retain Kumble as coach
Efforts on for summit talks between the captain, coach and advisors
Birmingham: The talk about who will be the next Indian coach has gained momentum with the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) likely to make the announcement soon.
Some members of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are not keen on making this announcement in a hurry and prefer to start the interview process only after the special general meeting on June 26.
It is understood that BCCI’s acting president C.K. Khanna has even sent out an email to this effect, but the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) made up of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and V.V.S. Laxman, who are all here, would reportedly like to sort this matter at the earliest and have already had an informal meeting on June 8.
The trio would like Kumble to continue as coach but that could irk many players and captain Virat Kohli.
Even though most players are not in favour of Kumble, the CAC that had picked Kumble last year, may not eventually give in to their demands.
Kohli, in a press conference, had remarked that there were no differences with Kumble, and all the stories doing the rounds were mere rumours.
However, it was clear for everyone in the media that Kohli’s statement was far from the truth.
The latest development is that Tendulkar, Ganguly and Laxman have decided to meet Kohli and Kumble together to try and sort out their misgivings.
If this compromise formula works out, there are chances that Kumble’s extension will be announced even before the final.
The challenge here is for Kohli and the players is to accept Kumble’s approach to coaching, and India’s highest wicket-taker in Tests too does not want to change his style which is reportedly tiring out the players.
There is also a possibility that the next coach may be announced only after the limited over series against West Indies, starting from June 23.
The reason behind the CAC not wanting to replace Kumble in a hurry is that even if a new coach is appointed, there are chances that the players may complain about the new coach’s style of functioning as well. Virender Sehwag, who has applied for the coach’s post, is very much his own man and can also be quite a taskmaster.
The BCCI is keen on sorting out the differences, if any, between Kumble and Kohli since the current Indian team seems to have forged a good combination and most players are good enough to continue till the 2019 World Cup. The CAC is also looking at retaining the coach till the 2019 World Cup, and hence would like the players and coach to be on the same page.
