The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday invited applications for the head coach post. This means the present head coach, Anil Kumble, will not get an automatic extension after his current term expires at the end of the Champions Trophy.
Those interested can apply by May 31and will be interviewed by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) consisting 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,” a BCCI release stated.
While Kumble gets a “direct entry” into the interview process, the timing of the BCCI’s announcement makes it clear that the brass have not exactly been happy with the legendary leg-spinner. The reason being, his 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, 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 told PTI on Thursday.
- Kumble’s stance on pay for players has been a bone of contention
- The BCCI brass is peeved at Kumble's demand for 25% extra “captaincy fees” for Virat Kohli
- His demand for a position in the selection committee as the head coach has also been questioned
The surprising aspect is the timing of the announcement - the team just landing in the United Kingdom on Thursday for their Champions Trophy defence. “Obviously, the 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 official said.
“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.
Kumble’s demand could be a deviation from the Lodha Committee norms as it is clearly mentioned that only three selectors would comprise the selection committee.
As per BCCI constitution, the coach or the captain attends selection meetings but they don’t have a vote. The constitution needs to be revamped and the board are unlikely to consider most of Kumble’s suggestions.
They have already made it clear that they won’t increase the current 26% revenue that is reserved for the cricketers and would work around that model.
