Kumble, Shastri, Moody make presentations; Patil misses out

While Kumble appeared for the interview in person, Shastri appeared for the interview via Skype. Among the foreign applicants, former Australian players Stuart Law and Tom Moody also gave their presentations via video conference. Interestingly, Sandip Patil was not called for the interview.

Former Team India Director Ravi Shastri, who is out of the country, made his presentation for coach's job via video conference.

The Indian cricket board’s (BCCI) search for a Head Coach reached the endpoint with the selection committee, comprising some of the legendary cricketers of the country, interacting with several candidates, including a few foreigners and two former India captains, here on Tuesday.

The selection panel, consisting of Sachin Tendulkar (who participated via video conferencing), Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and coordinator Sanjay Jagdale, interviewed the candidates, including Anil Kumble and former team director Ravi Shastri (who was abroad and was available through video conferencing), and saw presentations over a period of three hours.

READ: >Won’t repeat the Greg Chappell mistake: Ganguly

Former India ‘A’ coach Pravin Amre and India manager Lalchand Rajput were among the Indian candidates to be interviewed by the panel. Australian Tom Moody and Stuart Law and Englishman Andy Moles also gave interviews through video conferencing.

The incumbent chief selector Sandeep Patil was one of the prominent names to have lost out in the race for the most-coveted post.

>Patil: Haven’t received any invitation for interview

The BCCI had shortlisted 21 out of 57 candidates who had applied for the top job.

Confirming the conclusion of the interviewing process, Ganguly said the committee would reach a conclusion by the end of Tuesday.

The coach recommendation panel is likely to meet tomorrow before forwarding its suggested candidate to BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke and president Anurag Thakur. “We have interviewed around 10 candidates and each of them has made his presentation. We will submit our report to the BCCI secretary (Ajay Shirke),” Ganguly told reporters.

The selection committee has been asked to submit its recommendation by June 22 ahead of the BCCI Working Committee meeting, to be held in Dharamshala on June 24.

Interestingly, Ganguly, a key member of the panel, experienced moments of anxiety ahead of the selection of the Head Coach.

Attending a function prior to the selection panel meeting, the former India captain said he would like to help the National team get a good coach.

“I once had an opportunity to select the coach. I thought I messed it up in 2005. I am given that opportunity again. To be honest, two-and-a-half years ago, I was thinking myself whether I would want this job. Now today, I am selecting one,” said Ganguly philosophically, without naming former coach Greg Chappell with whom he had bitter experience.

“Hopefully, we will do it correctly this time. Luckily, I have got the support in Sachin, VVS, the BCCI secretary and the president (Anurag Thakur). Together, we will pick the right person,” said Ganguly, admitting he could not sleep properly on the eve of the selection of the Head Coach.

The Indian team is expected to travel to the West Indies for a four-match Test series in July and August under the guidance of the new coach.