MUMBAI, April 26: There are more than three months to go before India play their next international cricket match. So in theory Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has ample time to appoint next team coach. Yet Indian Cricket Board, unsurprisingly, is moving in typically unhurried manner on issue of a new coach. There has been expression of interest in setting in place a mechanism for selection, but no word on actual procedure.

BCCI secretary S.K. Nair said though a screening committee of former cricketers will be formed ‘possibly’ in a week, actual selection could take about a month.

“Board president has to decide on cricketers who will be part of the committee. Then there will be various stages of interviews before final interview. Above all working committee has to approve final terms and conditions before the appointment,” he said.

He said he believed there was ample time. “Most probably new coach’s stint will start with Sri Lankan tour. And anyway our first match in Sri Lanka is only on Aug 1.”

The dilly-dallying has already had contenders showing signs of restlessness, with one of them, Dav Whatmore, even signing a new contract with Bangladesh — though armed with a get-out clause.

An early decision will give new coach time to settle down, travel the country and research its cricket. He could spend time at National Cricket Academy (NCA) and with top domestic coaches, before Indian team leaves for Colombo.

Importantly, after a season of bitter disappointments marked by underperformance, coach would have to analyse where the team went wrong and how to set it right. A couple of weeks at a coaching camp may not be time enough for that.

Last-minute appointments are nothing new to Indian cricket. John Wright had just a couple of days to settle in before first Test against Zimbabwe in November 2000. Others like Anshuman Gaekwad (1997-99) and Madan Lal (1996-97) had a week’s time before their own jobs began and that ate away precious time.

In fact Gaekwad’s last stint as interim coach before Wright took over also took place in matter of days. Ask Madan Lal about his appointment and he only wishes same fate does not fall on future coaches.

“Indian cricket never allows you to settle down. They appointed me in September and in a few days we were playing a Challenger series and then a Test against Australia. And in those days you did not even have kind of back-up staff they have now, so you were down to doing everything alone,” Madan Lal said.

The only ‘lucky’ coach in Indian cricket history with a proper settling in period was Sandeep Patil who spent first half of 1995-96 season as assistant cricket manager (as coach was called then). But flip side was his tenure was shortest of six months.

Meanwhile, former Australian captain and visionary coach Greg Chappell has finally submitted his CV to BCCI seeking job of team’s new coach.

In what is seen as a major development, Chappell has let it be known that he is interested in Indian job and BCCI will struggle to find anyone else in international cricket who could match Australian’s profile.

He filed CV through his agent, and commented he has a new vision for Indian cricket which could allow them to rule the world. India has talent, resources and infrastructure to be on top of the world.

But Chappell has not disclosed this vision, only stating he would do so if given a chance.

It was made clear he will not compromise on his fees. By all accounts it is going to be nearly double to what BCCI has been offering outgoing coach Wright till now.

Wright was provided with 2000 square feet accommodation in Mumbai, a car with driver, medical benefits and $30,000 monthly fee. Chappell, by all accounts, would seek a substantially higher fees for his services.

It is interesting turnaround in the battle for coach’s post since Chappell had so far shown he wanted to deal with Indian Board on his terms.—Agencies