Cricketing legend Kapil Dev was on Monday appointed as the Indian team's regular bowling coach, BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya announced. Dalmiya said Kapil Dev will get down to his job during the three-day preparatory camp for the upcoming Pakistan tour in Kolkata from March 7 to 9.

However, the former captain and coach would not accompany the team to Pakistan, Dalmiya said.

The decision to appoint Kapil Dev was taken after consultations with captain Sourav Ganguly and coach John Wright, the BCCI chief said. "It was felt that fast bowlers playing in international matches and first class players knocking on the door of selection should be given regular training and their progress should be monitored," Dalmiya said.

"Kapil has given his consent to this assignment but the details have to be worked out. He will attend the three-day camp and will draw a schedule for future training of the boys. In view of this, no bowling coach would be sent to Pakistan."

Dalmiya said no offical designation had been assigned to Kapil Dev as yet. "The Board's idea is that at least three to four times a year there will be training programmes for pace bowlers which will be supervised by Kapil. It would be a continuous process."

India, who embark on the 40-day tour of Pakistan on March 10, are scheduled to play five one-day matches and three Test matches in the neighbouring country. Kapil Dev has been asked to sit down with the coach and the captain to draw out a detailed plan.

Asked why Kapil was not going to Pakistan, Dalmiya said, "Going on tour does not help. We do not want him to train only four-five bowlers.

"He has to look at all the available talent in the country in the international and first class matches so that there is regular supply of pace bowlers to the Indian team."

On whether Javagal Srinath was considered for the post, Dalmiya said Srinath was already working as a match-referee.

"Srinath is always an asset to the country and he has been designated as match-referee," he said. Bureau Report