Latest googly: ‘Waugh too is in the running’

Though Australian all-rounder Tom Moody, who has the backing of senior players and incumbent coach John Wright, is the front-runner to be th...

int(3)

Though Australian all-rounder Tom Moody, who has the backing of senior players and incumbent coach John Wright, is the front-runner to be the next India coach, there is a dark horse in the race: Steve Waugh.

‘‘He is high-profile but he could turn out to be the dark horse’’, a top Board official told this paper today.

If it works out, it would be the highlight of a long and deep relationship the flinty Australian has had with India. His deeds off the field — charity work in Kolkata — are almost as well-chronicled as those out in the middle, and performed with the same tenacity that had opposing captains tear out their hair in frustration.

Story continues below this ad

Though Waugh has no coaching experience, he was in charge of the Australian XI for the charity tsunami match earlier this year.

For now, two things appear certain — or as much as posible in the BCCI’s functioning. One, the next coach will be a foreigner. And two, it won’t be Dav Whatmore, currently coaching Bangladesh. ‘‘The board has an understanding with the Bangladesh Cricket Board over Whatmore’’, the official said.

Also, the Board is wary of appointing someone ready to end his contract for a better offer halfway through a tour of England. The same thing could happen if he were to be appointed India coach.

The BCCI is in two minds about whether they should have a search committee set up to appoint the coach or whether the BCCI should take a decision on its own. Each has its merits and drawbacks. ‘‘The first one will take time, the second one will give rise to speculation about the board’s functioning’’, the official said.

Story continues below this ad

‘‘A decision will be made about this in the next two-three days’’, he added. ‘‘There is too much pressure to start the process. But Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar will definitely be consulted before any appointment is made.’’