JOIN US The BCCI has invited applications for the post of head coach of the Indian cricket team, which means that incumbent Anil Kumble will not get an automatic extension.
Kumble’s term expires at the end of the Champions Trophy in England. “To ensure a fair and completely transparent process, a nominee of the Committee of Administrators (CoA) will oversee the entire process along with the Cricket Advisory Committee,” a BCCI release stated on Thursday.
The decision to hold fresh interviews for the high-profile job has left many flummoxed, given the team’s performance during Kumble’s one-year tenure.
India had a great domestic season, winning 10 out of the 13 home Tests with two draws and a lone defeat against Australia on a rank turner at Pune. Also, India won a Test series in the West Indies. Besides regaining the No 1 Test-ranking, India emerged victors at home in the ODI series against New Zealand and England.
They also won the T20I rubber against England. BCCI joint secretary Amitabh Choudhary said that the board was happy with Kumble’s performance, but they were trying to follow due procedure.
“A process has been followed. There is nothing unusual about it. His contract was getting over on June 20 and we had to have a coach by June 21. He can obviously apply again. Just to make it clear, that BCCI is very happy with Kumble’s performance. The coach will be chosen not by anyone in the BCCI. It will be done by Ganguly, Tendulkar and Laxman,” Choudhary said.
Interested candidates can apply by May 31 and will be interviewed by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman.
‘BCCI not happy’
While Kumble being the current coach gets a “direct entry” into the interview process, the timing of BCCI’s announcement makes it clear that the top brass has not exactly been happy with the legendary leg-spinner.
The reason being the stance asking for a hike in central contracts for players and his own salary.
“Obviously, he is in contention as the current chief coach,” another BCCI official said.
The surprising aspect has been the timing of the announcement for inviting fresh applications as the team just landed in the UK on Thursday for their Champions Trophy defence.
“Obviously BCCI could have waited till the end of the Champions Trophy to invite applications. But then no one should take his place for granted,” the source added.
The BCCI top brass is reportedly upset that Kumble demanded 25% “captaincy fees” for Virat Kohli as he takes extra burden.His demand for a position in the selection committee in his capacity as the head coach hasn’t gone down well either ways .