Life may come full circle for Anil Kumble as the Sourav Ganguly-led BCCI might ask him to apply for the post of head coach of the Indian team along with V.V.S. Laxman once Ravi Shastri completes his term after the T20 World Cup.
Kumble was coach of the Indian team for a year between 2016-17 when the Cricket Advisory Committee headed by Sachin Tendulkar, Laxman and Ganguly had appointed him.
However, a bitter fallout with captain Virat Kohli led to Kumble tendering his resignation after the Champions Trophy final defeat against Pakistan.
The board may also approach Laxman, who has been a mentor of the IPL side Sunrisers Hyderabad for some years now. However, Kumble will remain the favourite.
"Anil Kumble's exit needs course correction. The manner in which the CoA succumbed to the pressure of Kohli and removed him was not the best example set. However, it also depends on whether Kumble or Laxman are ready to apply for the job," a senior BCCI source privy to development told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Kohli has already announced that he will step down as T20 captain after the World Cup.
For the BCCI brass, a reputed Indian coach is always the first choice and both Kumble and Laxman with their stature in Indian cricket with 100-plus Test matches along with coaching experience fit the bill perfectly. A foreign coach is the second option.
"The criteria for BCCI's coach's job will be such that only a select few with very good record as player as well as experience of coaching/mentorship can apply for the top job," the source said.
Asked if former player and current coach Vikram Rathour is in contention, the official said,"He can apply if he wishes to, but he doesn't have the stature to become head coach of the Indian cricket team."
"He is at best an assistant coach. However, when we select the new coach, he will have a team all by himself. So let's wait and watch," said the source.
