After Anil Kumble announced his decision to step down as India’s head coach, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has decided to invite more applications for the post. The decision was to give Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) a wide range of options to pick a suitable candidate from.
A top BCCI official was quoted as saying that that there will be a window of seven to ten days for fresh applications for other interested candidates with suitable qualification and stature can apply for the top job. When BCCI had advertised the post, the last date to send application was May 31.
“Look, when we had invited applications last time, Anil was an automatic entry. That might have prompted a lot of people from thinking that what’s the need to apply when current coach is doing well and is in the mix,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on Wednesday. “Now the situation has completely changed. A lot of people will now be interested knowing it’s an open field,” the official added.
On Tuesday, Kumble refused to extend his contract till the West Indies tour, citing captain Virat Kohli’s reservation over his “style” of functioning. The former India captain held the position for only a year.
The candidates who have applied so far are Virender Sehwag, Tom Moody, Lalchand Rajput, Richard Pybus, and Doda Ganesh.
Asked about Sehwag, who is considered the favourite, the official said, “Sehwag’s application has no relation with BCCI to call for more applications. In the end, it would be CAC which will decide on the next coach. More the options, better the choice.”
Former Australia bowling coach Craig McDermott also had applied but it was rejected as it didn’t come on time.
