Xtra Time Web Desk: Former India captain Anil Kumble is back on the radar of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to replace Ravi Shastri as the Head Coach of Indian cricket team. Shastri’s tenure will come to an end after the T20 World. As per reports in Indian Express the BCCI is set to approach Anil Kumble to take on the role of head coach once again. Kumble was the Head Coach of the Indian team before he decided to step down in 2017 after reports emerged of a rift with Indian captain Virat Kohli.
Four years ago, soon after Kumble stepped down, Kohli had prevailed upon the BCCI, governed then by a committee led by former CAG Vinod Rai, to get Shastri as the replacement. But with the new regime led by BCCI President Sourav Ganguly and Secretary Jay Shah, it is learnt that ways to bring Kumble back are being explored.
With Kohli stepping down as T20 captain soon, the BCCI is convinced that the team requires a new coach. In its press release Thursday after Kohli’s decision, BCCI secretary Jay Shah had stated that the board has a clear roadmap for Team India.
It is believed that current BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had wanted Kumble to continue in 2017, despite Kohli’s reservations, when he was a member of the BCCI’s Cricket Improvement Committee (CIC).
Under Anil Kumble the Indian team reached the final of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, which they lost to Pakistan. He is currently in the UAE as head coach and director of cricket operations for the IPL franchise Punjab Kings.
If Kumble agrees to come on board, he will also have to give up his IPL assignments and also the head of the International Cricket Council’s cricket committee.
It is also learnt former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawerdene was also approached by the Indian cricket board. However, Jayawardene, who has guided Mumbai Indians to multiple IPL titles, is said to be interested in coaching the Sri Lankan team, and the IPL franchise.