Zeecric Bureau
Mumbai, Nov 27: In a major turn of events in the process of coach selection for the Indian team, BCCI has dropped hints that former South African Test player Gary Kirsten is the front-runner for the job. The final decision on the issue will be taken in a week. Kirsten is said to have given assurance that he would revert back on the offer within a week’s time.
This puts the all important Australia tour in the spotlight as the BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla has also said that the Indian team will finally have a full time coach before the series Down Under. He also ended speculation that the players might be consulted before the appointment, saying that they would not be a part of the coach selection process.
The Indian coach selection committee met Kirsten on Monday night ,and the people from the Indian board who met him included names like board president Sharad Pawar, Niranjan Shah, Venkatraghwan and Test team skipper Anil Kumble. This added to the speculation that the board is in the final leg of appointing a coach for the Indian team.
Kirsten was interviewed by a panel headed by Sunil Gavaskar and included Ravi Shastri as well. The South African player had retired from international cricket in 2004 and has the knowledge of the latest developments in the game.
With the final decision likely to come within a week, the team looks all set to have a levelheaded individual as its coach. The team has in the meanwhile been extremely content with the services of the team manager. Gary Kirsten commands tremendous respect in the cricketing fraternity and he might be appointed as the coach ahead of the crucial and tough Australian tour.
First Published: Tuesday, November 27, 2007, 00:00