Quest for Team India coach intensifies

India’s search for a head coach neared completion here on Tuesday, with the high profile selection panel interacting with several candidates, including a few foreigners and two former India captains.

The panel, consisting of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, V.V.S. Laxman and coordinator Sanjay Jagdale, interviewed legendary spinner Anil Kumble and former team director Ravi Shastri, among others, and saw presentations for more than three hours. Tendulkar and Shastri participated via video-conference.

Former India-A coach Pravin Amre and India manager Lalchand Rajput were also interviewed. Australians Tom Moody and Stuart Law and Englishman Andy Moles too made their cases to the panel through conference calls. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had shortlisted 21 of the 57 candidates who had applied for the top job.

Ganguly confirmed the conclusion of the interview process. The panel is likely to meet on Wednesday before forwarding its recommendation to BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke and president Anurag Thakur. “We have interviewed around 10 candidates and each of them has made his presentation. We will submit our report to the BCCI secretary,” Ganguly told reporters.

The selection committee has been asked to submit its recommendation by June 22, ahead of the BCCI working committee meeting to be held in Dharamshala on June 24.

Attending a function prior to the selection panel meeting, the former India captain said he would like to help the National team get a good coach.

“I once had an opportunity to select the coach. I thought I messed it up in 2005. I am given that opportunity again. To be honest, two-and-a-half years ago, I was thinking myself whether I would want this job. Now today, I am selecting one,” said Ganguly philosophically, without naming former coach Greg Chappell with whom he had a bitter experience. “Hopefully, we will do it right this time.

“Luckily, I have got support from Sachin, V.V.S., the BCCI secretary and the president. Together, we will pick the right person,” said Ganguly, who admitted he had had sleepless nights during the process.

The Indian team is scheduled to travel to the West Indies for a four-match Test series in July and August under the guidance of the new coach.