BCCI searches for new India coach Virat Kohli plays down BCCI move
Incumbent Anil Kumble, whose term expires in June, remains a contender
NEW DELHI India skipper Virat Kohli side-stepped a potential controversy on landing in London for the ICC Champions Trophy, saying the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) inviting applications for the national coach’s job was only about sticking to a certain process and there was nothing unusual in that.
Anil Kumble was hired as India team’s head coach in June 2016 on a one-year contract, which expires at the end of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. The BCCI put out an invitation asking interested candidates to apply.
It said Anil Kumble, who guided India to four successive Test series wins in a row, besides the one-off Test win over Bangladesh, will be an automatic entry.
“The process (hiring coach) has been followed every single time, the similar way and for the past so many years, (it) is what I know. Even the last time the post was up for a change, the same procedure was applied.
The term being one year, obviously the procedure is being followed in the same manner,” said Kohli after arriving in England for the June 1 -18 event.
“So, I don’t see anything very different from what has happened in the past. And that’s something the board has obviously recognised. And they want to follow the same patterns.”
Kumble has had a very suc- cessful tenure. India beat West Indies away following which they beat New Zealand, England, Bangladesh and Australia at home.
“I don’t have any more information on it because there is a committee that takes those decisions, and they’re following the same pattern that’s been followed in the past,” added Kohli.
Asked to comment on continuity and Kumble’s contribution to the team’s success, Kohli said: “When you have results come your way, the contribution is from every part of the team.”