Team India To Have New Coach Before Sri Lanka Series

Rajiv Shukla, the Indian Premier League chairman, has stated the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is going to appoint India’s next coach before the Sri Lanka tour which commences next month.

Anil Kumble, who stepped down as head coach on Tuesday (June 20), was initially set to accompany the team for the upcoming limited-overs series against Windies, staring Friday (June 23). However, the former India skipper chose to step down from his post after knowing skipper Virat Kohli‘s reservations against his ‘style’ of coaching.

As of now, the BCCI deputed its general manager M.V. Sridhar to supervise the team management for the series in Caribbeans. The board also confirmed Sanjay Bangar and R. Sridhar will continue to remain the batting Coach and the fielding Coach, respectively.

Shukla revealed the BCCI has decided its search for the new coach and insisted that the a new coach will be at the helm by the time Team India departs to Sri Lanka. Shukla also said that Kohli will play no part in the coach selection.

“The BCCI has decided to search for the coach and before the Sri Lankan tour, we will find the best coach,” Shukla said on Wednesday (June 21). “When the coach is selected, captain has not got any role in that. The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) has been constituted and they will be recommending the names. After that, BCCI will decide who should be the coach.”

The BCCI, which had advertised for the coach’s post last month, has decided to call for more applications for the position. After their last advertisement, Virender Sehwag, Tom Moody, Richard Pybus, Dodda Ganesh and Lalchand Rajput had submitted their applications while Kumble was a direct entry. However, the legendary spinner is now out of the race after quitting.

Speaking about the rift between Kohli and Kumble, Shukla said the board tried its best to mend the relationship between the two but failed. Shukla also revealed that the BCCI wanted Kumble to continue till the Sri Lanka tour.

“BCCI has tried its best to resolve the issue. The acting secretary, CEO had a discussion with Kumble and Kohli. They consulted the chairman of the COA also. They tried to resolve the whole issue, but ultimately no outcome could be found out. Finally, Kumble decided to move on and he has decided not to continue with the West Indies tour,” Shukla said. “Earlier, the decision was taken that Kumble will continue till the Sri Lanka tour. But he has decided to not go on with the West Indies tour. BCCI wishes him all the best for his future career.”