Expect more video interviews for India's coach selection this time around

Video Interview might bring in some bad memories to the former Indian all-rounder Ravi Shastri, with Sourav Ganguly criticising the former for his skype interview with the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC). The all-rounder was holidaying in Thailand when the interview for the position of Team India’s coach was scheduled, with Shastri not able to make it to Kolkata for the interview.

He eventually missed the job to Anil Kumble, who went on to become India’s head coach for the span of one year. Ganguly criticised Shastri on the grounds of not being present during the interview. It is expected to be a similar case this time round as well since the former India team director is on a vacation this time as well in London.

According to Sportstar, while Ganguly has revealed that the committee will meet the candidates in Mumbai on July 10, the applicants claim that they haven’t received a missive from the BCCI. With July 9 the last date for interview and they are expected to arrive on a name by July 10, a source said that the committee might have to interview most of the candidates via Skype.

The applicants

The likes of Virender Sehwag and Dodda Ganesh may come to the city of Mumbai for their interview, Lalchand Rajput who is currently coaching the Afghanistan team will attend the interview through Skype. With Afghanistan set to play a match against MCC XI at the Lord’s on July 11, Rajput will be leaving Mumbai on July 5. If he is shortlisted for the interview, Rajput will have to interact with the CAC members through Skype.

Overseas candidates Tom Moody, Richard Pybus and Phil Simmons, might as well attend the interview through Skype. “Short-listing the candidates could be a long process if a few more applications come in. It is ultimately the CAC’s job to get the things in order,” one of the sources was quoted as saying.

“All is quiet. We will only be in a position to discuss the next step once we hear anything from the BCCI,” one of the major applicants said.

The trouble could be more for the overseas candidates as they will need a quick visa to be ‘physically present’ for the interview. “That may take a bit of time. As of now, nothing can be said. Let’s see how things go,” another applicant said with only six days to go for the Interview.