Meanwhile, Sandeep Patil, who confirmed his application for the job, has reportedly not yet received any communication from the BCCI, ESPNcricinfo reported.
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The other candidates who were interviewed included Tom Moody, Stuart Law, Lalchand Rajput, Pravin Amre and Andy Moles. The list was then pruned to 21 by the BCCI and handed over to the three-member BCCI’s cricket advisory panel comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman.
He replaces Duncan Fletcher as the Zimbabwean finished his term following the 2015 ICC World Cup in Australia, where India lost to Australia in the semi-final. In an interview with India Today, Ganguly did not divulge the names of the shortlisted candidates but said that the committee was hopeful of finalising a coach by June 24. If it does, former India skipper Anil Kumble – who doesn’t fit the eligibility criteria – might also get a look in. The interview process is now over. “I have a short and long plan for the upcoming series, but I can not plan alone; need players to pitch in”, said the new head coach immediately after the announcement. Recently Sanjay Banger was assigned as India’s coach for the tour to Zimbabwe and BCCI published an advertisement for team India’s Head Coach on June 1 which got the very big reply of 57 applications both from India and overseas.
“Indian cricket team deserves the best coach, BCCI has complete faith in Kumble“. His record speaks for himself, as far as winning matches for India is concerned.
Kumble, with no global coaching experience, has been given a year-long term but Gavaskar feels it is not a disadvantage.
The 45-year-old was a chief mentor for IPL franchise Mumbai Indians for two years after a similar role with the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
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Kumble captained the India Test side for just over a year after replacing Rahul Dravid in 2007. He is known for his best figures of 10 for 74 against Pakistan in Delhi in 1999. With 619 wickets, he is India’s highest Test wicket taker. Therefore that is the reason we want to be able to be in a position to review our options should there be any need.
