KOLKATA: As the selection process for India’s head coach reached final stages, the politics inside the BCCI has got a new shape with former India captain Anil Kumble and the recent Indian team director Ravi Shastri fighting for the honorable position in team India’s dugout.
An official from BCCI has confirmed that both Anil Kumble and Ravi Shastri, along with Pravin Amre and Lalchand Rajput have made presentations before the BCCI’s advisory committee comprising of Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly and VVS Laxman. While Ganguly and Laxman interviewed the aspirants in Kolkata, Sachin Tendulkar joined them through a video conference.
The Board of control for cricket in India has selected 21 individuals as possible candidates for the post of head coach from the total 57 applications it has received. The responsibility to select the best choice out of the 21 names, has been given to the advisory committee. Jagdale will act as the coordinator for the selection process.
It has been reported that both Anil Kumble and Ravi Shastri, who had a say inside the BCCI politics have started lobbying for their appointment as the head coach. It is understood that the members of the working committee took different stands in supporting each of them as the new coach and as a result, the BCCI has asked the advisory committee to select the head coach for the national team. In other words, BCCI has made the advisory committee a scapegoat, to deal with highly influential persons in the BCCI.
Top sources said that Anil Kumble may serve team India as a bowling coach as chances of Ravi Shastri being selected as head coach are high.
On the other hand, the BCCI has taken a big-step by excluding high-profile candidates like national team selector Sandeep Patil from the shortlisted 21 applicants. Apart from naming the coach, the advisory committee will take a decision over conducting the upcoming Ranji trophy matches in neutral venues.