CAC to meet Virat Kohli before naming the new Indian coach
The Cricket Advisory Committee members Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman have informed the press that the 3-member committee would hold talks with Indian skipper Virat Kohli before naming the new head coach for the team. The CAC confirmed interviewing five candidates out of the shortlisted six.
The mystery of who would succeed Anil Kumble as the head coach of the Indian team was expected to be solved today as the CAC comprising Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, and Sachin Tendulkar interviewed the shortlisted candidates in Mumbai.
Among those being interviewed were Virender Sehwag, Ravi Shastri, Richard Pybus, Tom Moody and Lalchand Rajput while Phil Simmons was unavailable for the interview today.
However, Ganguly stated that the CAC would like to speak to some people especially Virat Kohli before naming the new coach.
"We will hold on for a few days on (the) announcement of India’s next coach, need to talk to few other people especially Virat Kohli," Ganguly told Hindustan Times.
Anil Kumble stepped down as the Indian coach on June 20 citing his 'untenable' relationship with Indian skipper Virat Kohli as the reason for the same. Since then, Kohli had drawn flak from various former cricketers and was expected to play a pivotal role in the recommendation of names for the new head coach with Ravi Shastri's name doing rounds as the 28-year old's favourite. However, Ganguly clarified that Virat Kohli had not recommended or named anyone for the post, unlike what the media anticipated.
"Have to give credit to Virat Kohli that he totally stayed out of it, didn’t give any input on names (for coach). We are not in a hurry to announce India coach," he said.