NEW DELHI: Can Virat Kohli have his way in the selection of the head coach for the Indian team?
The Indian skipper has considerable clout in the board, but sources told TOI Kohli will not have a ‘veto power’ in the matter of coach’s selection. That decision will be taken by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman. This has been conveyed to all by Vinod Rai, chairman of the Committee of Administrators (CoA).
“Kohli can say whatever he wants but he won’t get his choice of coach until the advisory panel agrees to it. He doesn’t have the veto power to decide the new coach. He only has the power to select the playing XI. This does not mean that he can’t give his preferences. He can spell out his choice of candidate but the final call will be taken by the CAC,” a top BCCI source said.
This also means that CoA will not be a part of the decision-making process. However, Rai will meet the Indian cricketers in London along with CAC members and board officials to discuss the issue. Sources said Kohli has already spoken to Tendulkar on this matter and even consulted Ganguly and Laxman recently.
What makes the scenario interesting is that Virender Sehwag reportedly threw his hat in the ring after getting an assurance from Kohli. So, will Kohli’s choice influence the advisory panel? In the past, captains have been consulted before appointing the head coach and even now Kohli will be consulted.
There is a belief that a foreign coach like Tom Moody can balance things out, while an Indian coach will come with a considerable baggage. “Indian coaches are good but foreign coaches actually work without any biases,” a source said, adding that the CAC members are also open to Sehwag’s selection as the coach.
Kumble still has his supporters in the BCCI because some of his decisions were aimed at building a team for the future. He had promoted cricketers like Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and KL Rahul. A board official said that it was on Kumble’s backing that Pujara came out with flying colours during the home series against New Zealand, England and Australia.