Anil Kumble has been asked to coach the Indian team for the West Indies tour later this month, BCCI Committee of Administrators (CoA) chairman Vinod Rai confirmed in New Delhi on Monday. The news comes on the heels of reports in Indian media about a rift between Kumble and Virat Kohli, with the skipper reportedly not keen on the veteran spinner being offered a contract extension.
Kumble’s one-year contract ends after the ongoing Champions Trophy and the BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) has been given the job of deciding if India need a replacement, or if it should persist with the current coach.
Since the process (of the selection of the coach) has been delayed, Kumble, subject to his accepting, will be there for the West Indies tour. The CAC is meeting in London to decide upon the road ahead.Vinod Rai
India tour the Caribbean immediately after the Champions Trophy to play five ODIs and one T20I, starting 23 June.
The CAC – comprising Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly – is currently in London and in touch with both the captain and the coach on the sidelines of the ongoing Champions Trophy.
The committee is said to be in favour of retaining Kumble, but have sought more time ahead of the BCCI SGM on 26 June.
"We have left it to the CAC, they are legends, they know what is best for Indian cricket," said Rai, who also rubbished a report claiming that CAC has asked to be paid for the honorary job.
Asked whether coach recruitment could have been handled better by the BCCI, Rai said the matter has been blown out of proportion with reports claiming a rift between captain Virat Kohi and Kumble.
"The fact is that it was a one year contract so a process was followed. I don't know why is this controversy. I have spoken to both of them (Kohli and Kumble)and neither of them have confirmed what has come out," he said.
The COA, now a three-member panel after the controversial exit of historian Ramachandra Guha, had a day long meeting in New Delhi on Monday. However, veteran banker Vikram Limaye too is set to step down from the honorary role on July 14 to take over as the Managing Director and CEO of National Stock Exchange (NSE).
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has cleared Limaye's appointment as head of NSE provided he gives up his role in COA.
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