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Sourav Ganguly is “definitely interested” in becoming India’s coach, but not right now. The former captain said that his plate was full with current commitments, but once those were done, he would certainly put forward his candidature for the post.
“Definitely, I’m interested but not at this point of time. Let one more phase go then I will throw my name into the fray,” Ganguly told Press Trust of India. “Currently, I’m associated with too many things — IPL, CAB [Cricket Association of Bengal, where he’s president], TV commentary. Let me complete this. But I will definitely put my hat at some stage. Provided I get selected. But definitely I’m interested. Not now, but in the future.”
The BCCI has called for applications for the team’s coaching staff, with the current incumbents’ contracts set to end after India’s tour of West Indies. All of Ravi Shastri, Sanjay Bangar, B Arun and R Sridhar have had their names automatically entered into the selection process, which will be conducted by the reconstituted Cricket Advisory Committee of Kapil Dev, Anshuman Gaekwad and Shantha Rangaswamy.
Ganguly was part of the original CAC, alongside Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman, when the current coaching staff were appointed, and he felt that among the current applicants, there wasn’t any ‘heavyweight’ name.
“Going by the applicants, I don’t see any heavyweight names,” he said. “I heard Mahela (Jayawardene) would apply but ultimately he didn’t… There are not many big names who have applied for the coach’s job. Ultimately I don’t know what the panel will decide. They have been around for a while.
“We will see how big the term they will give. Not many names who have applied. Whoever they feel is good they should do it.”
Ganguly steered clear of evaluating Shastri’s term as the coach, saying: “I will hold my opinion on that. I don’t think it’s right for me to say about that. I’m too far from the system that decides the coach.”
Virat Kohli was asked who his choice of coach would be at the Indian team’s press conference before their departure for the tour of West Indies, and he had indicated his preference for continuing with the current set-up, saying the team had prospered under Shastri and the players liked and respected him.
Kohli also said that the CAC hadn’t asked for his input yet, and he would offer his opinion if asked. Subsequently, Kapil Dev said Kohli’s opinion should be given due consideration. “That’s his opinion. We have to respect everybody’s opinion,” Kapil said.
The interviews for the new support staff are expected to take place on August 14 and 15.