The BCCI on Thursday invited applications for head coach's post, sending a reminder to head coach Anil Kumble that he will not get an automatic extension after his current term expires at the end of Champions Trophy.
Interested candidates can apply by May 31st and will be interviewed by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman.
"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," the BCCI release stated. While Kumble being the current coach gets a "direct entry" into the interview process, the timing of BCCI's announcement makes it clear that the top brass has not exactly been happy with the legendary leg-spinner. The reason being the aggressive stance asking for a massive hike in central contracts for players and his own salary.
India had a great domestic season under Kumble winning 10 out of the 13 home Tests with two draws and a single defeat against Australia on a rank turner at Pune. Also under Kumble, India won a Test series comprehensively in the West Indies. But of late, Kumble's stance on players' pay hike and the manner of his demands have not gone down well with the powers that be in the BCCI. "Obviously, he is in contention as the current chief coach," a BCCI official said on Thursday. The surprising aspect has been the timing of the announcement for inviting fresh applications as the team just landed in UK on Thursday for their Champions Trophy defence.
"Obviously BCCI could have waited till the end of the Champions Trophy to invite applications. But then no one should take his place for granted," the source added. "Kumble is bargaining for himself as well as the players. Fair enough but tomorrow if BCCI decides to replace him, he will not be in a position to bargain. Some of his demands have been simply inexplicable," the official said. India captain Virat Kohli said that BCCI is only following a due process by inviting fresh application for chief coach's post with Anil Kumble's contract expiring at the end of Champions Trophy.