Amidst reports that the BCCI was to announce the name of the future coach of the Indian cricket team on June 4, it is now reported that the seven-man coach selection panel has failed to find an appropriate person for the post. Though, South African Graham Ford has replaced Dav Whatmore as the frontrunner for the post.
The board has invited Ford for discussions. And it is also rumored that former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga may be the other person invited for talks in Chennai on Saturday.
Ford served as South Africa’s coach from 1999 to 2001 and is currently working with English county side Kent.
BCCI president Sharad Pawar, heads the coach selection panel, which also included three former captains in Sunil Gavaskar, Srinivas Venkataraghavan and Ravi Shastri. Once the panel selects a name for the post, it will have to be approved by the BCCI’s working committee on June 12.
Earlier on, Dav Whatmore had shown interest in coaching the men in blue after former India coach Greg Chappel resigned following a disastrous world cup exit. It is not clear as to why Whatmore, who was the leading contender for the post over the past one month, was relegated to the sidelines.
It was earlier rumored that Sunil Gavaskar’s choice was Gundappa Vishwanath and it was he who had opposed giving the high profile post to Whatmore. But, when contacted Gavaskar denied that he was against the appointment of a foreigner. He said that appointment of a coach is a unanimous decision and not an individual’s.
The ball is now in the BCCI’s court that has to take a final decision. It is hoped that the choice is made soon in the interest of Indian cricket.
Via:Espnstar
