Farokh Engineer believes the BCCI must already know who the best candidate to be India’s coach is and not seek applications.
The former India wicketkeeper is also in favour of extending Anil Kumble’s term at the helm. “I don’t know about a new coach,” Engineer said at Edgbaston during India’s clash with Pakistan here on Sunday.
“I’ve spoken to Tom Moody and Virender Sehwag; both were very cool about it. But I don’t think they should apply for a job like that.
They should be invited by the BCCI. You know, you’re not going for a clerk’s interview or applying for a purchasing officer’s post to see who is better. They should already know who the best person for the job is and then take a decision.”
Engineer, who played 46 Test matches for India, felt Kumble had been ‘fantastic’ as coach. “I’d have thought that they’d extend his term,” he said. “I was surprised to see other people’s names mentioned. But other people are also qualified and very good. So I don’t know. Who is qualified enough in the BCCI’s terms?”
Good friends
The 79-year-old added: “Both Kohli and Kumble are my very good friends. I think they’ve got along very well so far. I don’t know about (a rift). I’m not party to that. The BCCI always think they’re the best judges of everything. So let them decide.”
Engineer was full of praise for Kohli’s captaincy. “He’s so passionate about Indian cricket and his own cricket.
He’s a real team man, the way he’s got the lads to play around him is just fantastic. I can’t sing enough praises. May he continue to captain for years to come. He’s the best thing that’s happened to Indian cricket,” he said.
The former Bombay player was against India resuming bilateral cricketing ties with Pakistan.
“I’m not so sure about that,” he said. “People have lost their families at the border. They may well argue why we are playing cricket against a nation that doesn’t want to be friendly with us. It’s up to to the politicians to decide.”
