Shastri formally applies for the post of India coach

Apart from Ravi Shastri, Phil Simmons, Virender Sehwag, Tom Moody, Venkatesh Prasad, Richard Pybus, Dodda Ganesh and Lalchand Rajput have applied for the high profile job.

Published : Jul 03, 2017 18:57 IST

Ravi Shastri served as Indian team director from August 2014 to June 2016.

Ravi Shastri is the front-runner to become Team India's head coach job as he formally submitted his application to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

A senior BCCI official confirmed to PTI that Shastri has submitted his application ahead of the July 9 deadline.

The interviews will be conducted the following day by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising Sourav Ganguly, V. V. S. Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar.

MORE VIDEO INTERVIEWS THIS TIME AROUND?

"Yes, Ravi has applied and so has Phil Simmons (former West Indies all-rounder)," the official said.

The others who have thrown their hat into the ring are Virender Sehwag, Tom Moody, Venkatesh Prasad, Richard Pybus, Dodda Ganesh and Lalchand Rajput.

Shastri, who has served as Indian team director from August 2014 to June 2016, shares a healthy rapport with the players, including captain Virat Kohli.

It remains to be seen how the CAC will consider Shastri's case considering Ganguly backed Kumble over the former Indian all-rounder when the coach was picked last year.

Under Kumble, India won Test series against the West Indies, Australia, England, New Zealand and Bangladesh before reaching the Champions Trophy final last month.

During Shastri's tenure, India won the limited overs series in England in 2014, reached the semifinals of the World Cup and World T20 (2015 and 2016 respectively), won away Test series against Sri Lanka, home series against South Africa and T20 away series against Australia.

Simmons has coached the West Indies, Ireland and Afghanistan.