Aunshuman, Kapil Dev approached to be part of women's coach selection process

The BCCI has approached few former players to take part in the selection process in case the Cricket Advisory Committee comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman is unable to involve in the hunt for Indian women's team coach.

BCCI is reported to have approached Kapil Dev to become a part of a three-member panel to choose the next coach for India women's team.

While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) waits to hear from the members of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) — Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman — over their availability for the women’s coach selection process, a couple of former players have also been approached to be part of the selection process.

Speaking to  Sportstar  on Friday, former India cricketer and erstwhile national coach, Aunshuman Gaekwad, confirmed the development. “They (the Board) contacted me a few days ago and asked if I would be interested in being a part of the selection process and I agreed. I am waiting to hear from them,” Gaekwad said.

Former India captain Kapil Dev has also been invited to the BCCI headquarters on December 20 — when the interviews will be conducted. His participation, however, isn’t confirmed yet.

READ: Elite sportspersons offered SAI coaching jobs

Former India women’s players Shantha Rangaswamy and Shubhangi Kulkarni – who were believed to be part of the process – are yet to receive any invitation from the Board.

This is being considered as a back-up plan in case the CAC stays out of the selection process. Earlier, the CAC had opted out of the junior selectors’ selection process citing prior commitments. Tendulkar had also cited conflict of interest due to his son Arjun Tendulkar's participation in age-group cricket.

RELATED: BCCI is hiring, no extension for Ramesh Powar

The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), which looks after the cricketing affairs at the moment, had written to Tendulkar, Ganguly and Laxman on Thursday, inviting them to be part of the selection process — keeping the SC directive in mind. While former India captain Ganguly confirmed to Sportstar via text message that they have received a letter from the CoA, he did not clarify whether the CAC will be available.

When contacted, BCCI’s General Manager (Cricket Operations), Syed Saba Karim, admitted that the “CoA and the BCCI will have to decide” on an alternative plan in case the CAC members are unavailable.

The Supreme Court order makes it mandatory for the CoA to consult with the CAC before going ahead with a selection process. Finally, if the CAC does not involve itself in the process, the CoA may have to consult the amicus curiae, before officially going ahead with the interview process.

Meanwhile, Powar still hasn’t applied for the job, contrary to speculations.