Anil Kumble reapplies for his current designation

Current head coach of Team India, Anil Kumble, has reapplied for the same post since his one-year tenure ends soon after the Champions Trophy 2017, currently being played in England and Wales. His decision to reapply for the coveted designation that he has been occupying since July 2016 comes across as a matter of intrigue since the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has allowed him a direct entry into the selection process.

In the past one year, the team has won many laurels under Kumble’s coaching, which is why it becomes imperative for the selectors to give him the first preference. However, in the wake of the rift between Kumble and captain Virat Kohli, many have opined that in the best interest of Indian cricket, the new coach should be brought in. Reports suggested that Kumble had applied for the job on May 30.

On May 25, the BCCI invited applications citing that Kumble’s tenure as head coach would conclude with India’s campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy in England. But it also clarified that Kumble will be a direct entry into the selection and that he will not have to reapply for the post. However, it was also revealed that some of the BCCI officials are unhappy with Kumble after he asked for an ‘unjustified’ raise in both his and the team’s pay scale.

Although the BCCI has not revealed the number of applications for the post, reports suggest that former India players Virender Sehwag, Dodda Ganesh, Lalchand Rajput and foreigners Richard Pybus, Craig McDermott and Tom Moody have applied. Sehwag was asked by the BCCI officials and Virat Kohli to apply for the post, suggested further reports.

“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 (CAC). The BCCI’s three-member CAC  comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and  V. V. S. Laxman will conduct interviews and seek presentations to select the best possible candidate to guide the team and take Indian cricket forward,’’ Sportstar quoted a BCCI official as saying.