ICC Champions Trophy | Virat Kohli backed Ravi Shastri as Indian coach before leaving

Shastri had worked with the Indian team before the appointment of Anil Kumble last year and seems to be a favourite among Kohli and his team. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Kohli had recommended his name to Tendulkar and Laxman, two of the three members of the Cricket Advisory Committee, before leaving for the ongoing Champions Trophy on May 23.

Further, now that Anil Kumble has reapplied for the post and Virender Sehwag has also expressed his interest in the coach’s job, it makes a three-horse race along with Tom Moody. Although Kohli also requested the CAC to invite Shastri for the interview process, Shastri himself did not apply for the post and will not be called for the interview.

The interview process for the coach’s position will begin either on Thursday evening after the India-Sri Lanka match or would be held from Friday onwards, as reported by TOI. Sources close to the CAC said that they would be interviewing current coach Anil Kumble, Virender Sehwag, Tom Moody, and Richard Pybus.

The committee could also interview Dodda Ganesh and Lalchand Rajput, the other two in the shortlist of six. "The interview process would start from either Thursday evening or Friday onwards. The CAC would meet the candidates individually and take the call later," the source added.