Kolkata: Team India head coach Anil Kumble’s new contract would be discussed and thought upon before being renewed after India’s Champions Trophy campaign, according to reports from the BCCI.
The veteran Indian leg-spinner had taken charge of the Indian team ahead of the tour of the West Indies and had replaced Ravi Shastri, who was the Team Director back then in June 2016. When appointed as the coach, he was given a one-year contract till the end of 2017.
News agency PTI states that a senior BCCI functionary said, “Yes, Anil Kumble’s contract as the chief coach will end with India’s campaign in the Champions Trophy. Obviously, there is every possibility that it will be up for renewal but that will only be decided by the general body after the tournament gets over.”
Meanwhile, batting coach Sanjay Bangar and fielding coach R Sridhar have been retained for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Also, it was learnt that the COA would have a final say on any decision taken concerning Kumble’s contract.
“Till the time COA is in charge of BCCI functioning, every matter will need its approval. Whatever decision is taken regarding Anil Kumble, it will be have to be cleared by the COA” said a source.
Other than his responsibilities as a coach, Kumble also has been allotted the duty of making a presentation to the Supreme Court appointed Committee of Administrators regarding the kind of central retainership, that the Indian men’s team requires.
The Indian team has indeed achieved a lot of success under coach Kumble as the Virat Kohli led Test side romped to five consecutive Test series wins which included the likes of heavyweight Test sides like England and Australia.
Performance matters
In the total of 17 tests that the Indian team played in the 2016-2017 season, they won 12, under Kumble charge of the team. They even became the top ranked Test side displacing arch-rivals Pakistan way back in October last year under his mentorship and had become an indomitable force in Test cricket.
In ODI cricket too, the Indian team has done wonders under Kumble. Barring that odd defeat in Pune at the hands of the Australians, the Kumble- Kohli has worked wonders for Indian cricket.
However, Kumble’s appeal to the BCCI to give India the green signal to play in the Champions Trophy wasn’t quite appreciated by the Indian cricket body as it was made at a time when the BCCI was planning for a pull out. This move of extending his contract only after discussion might be a result of this.
In the meantime, different state associations, have conveyed to COA head Vinod Rai about the practical problems of having just three national selectors.
“We told Mr Rai that during the domestic season when there are close to 30 teams playing Ranji Trophy, it is difficult to have only three selectors. He has heard our case and he will give it a thought” said the source.
(With inputs from PTI)