BCCI Extends Deadline For Head Coach's Applications

With Anil Kumble stepping down as Team India head coach earlier than expected, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), on Friday (June 23), extended the timeline for submission of applications for the post to July 9.

“The BCCI has extended the timeline for submission of applications for the post of Head Coach for India men’s cricket team. The candidates who have applied earlier need not re-apply and will be included in the final list of applicants. The last date for submission of applications is hence extended to the 9th of July, 2017,” said BCCI’s acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary in a release issued on Friday.

Last month, the board had advertised for the post after making it clear that Kumble would not be given a direct extension even after his impressive record. Consequently, the board received applications from five candidates Virender Sehwag, Tom Moody, Richard Phybus, Lalchand Rajput and Dodda Ganesh while Kumble was a direct entry. However, he is now out of the race after quitting the job.

Reports are suggesting that BCCI decided to extend the deadline after realising that a number of eligible candidates may not have applied since Kumble himself had re-applied for the post when the BCCI invited applications last month.

The new coach, meanwhile, will be selected in a similar process that saw BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, appointing Kumble.  After the board receives the applications, it will forward the final shortlist to the three-member committee which will conduct interviews and seek presentations before sending their final choice to the BCCI.

India are currently in West Indies for a limited-overs series. With Kumble resigning just before the tour, the team is without a head coach for the series. For the time being, the BCCI has deputed its general manager M.V. Sridhar to supervise the team management but reports are suggesting that a new coach will be at the helm before the tour of Sri Lanka next month.