Anil Kumble May Continue As Team India Head Coach: Sources

The Indian cricket board's Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman has decided to retain Anil Kumble as Team India's head coach, sources told NDTV. The three-member panel met late night on Thursday and it is learnt that trio, who had roped in Kumble in place of Ravi Shastri, are not too keen on replacing the legendary leg-spinner. As for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials, they too largely are against setting a precedent where the Indian captain virtually decides on who will be the coach of the side. It is understood that only one BCCI official, who is believed to be close to former president N. Srinivasan and is a staunch Kumble critic, is against him continuing.

But most other senior BCCI members, including acting BCCI president CK Khanna and IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla, against the hasty removal of Kumble, the chances of the spin legend getting an extension has increased manifold.

The three-member committee met on Thursday evening at a five-star facility in London and had a nearly two-hour discussion on the issue but then informed BCCI CEO Rahul Johri that they would need more time.

Accordingly, a press release was issued by acting BCCI secretary Amitabh Chaudhary.

"The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) of the BCCI met today and discussed the process with regard to the selection of the Head coach of the Senior India Men team and it was decided by the CAC to revert to the BCCI, at an appropriate time," the statement said.

"Whether it is Anil Kumble retained or anyone else roped in, whoever gets the job will be given a contract till 2019 World Cup," Khanna had said on Thursday.

The news of skipper Virat Kohli's alleged difference with Kumble has been making rounds for some time now. The BCCI invited applications for coach's post and even a section of officials, who are anti-Kumble convinced Virender Sehwag to apply for the post.

"On one hand, team has had great performances under Kumble. If the team reaches semi-final or say final, the BCCI would cut a sorry figure if they are forced to replace Kumble. On the other hand, cricket teams are essentially run by captains. One needs to respect a captain's viewpoint also. It's a Catch-22 situation for CAC members," a BCCI official said.

The magnitude of problem, according to BCCI insiders, has been blown out of proportion.

"Virat has never come and told any BCCI official that he doesn't want to work with Kumble. And moreover if Kumble and Virat don't get along, what is the guarantee that Viru (Sehwag) and Virat will be on the same page. Everyone in Indian cricketing circuit knows that Sehwag is also a no-nonsense person," the source said.

(With inputs from Rica Roy and Agencies)