Hunt for coach: 'Virender Sehwag, Tom Moody are front-runners'

MUMBAI: As ungainly as this may sound, Anil Kumble, the coach of the senior Indian men's team, who submitted a fresh presentation to the BCCI-appointed

Cricket Advisory Committee

in an attempt to retain his role, may not be the top contender for the job anymore.

Those in the know of developments told TOI that Kumble did not 'reapply' for the position, considering he was granted a direct entry to be interviewed, but instead submitted a detailed presentation on his plans for the coming two years, more importantly the 2019 ICC World Cup. However, sources added that Kumble "may not be the favourite" going forward.

The advisory committee met Kumble in London after the match between India and Pakistan, following which the leg-spinner submitted his presentation. In doing so, the coach became part of six shortlisted individuals for the role that includes Virender Sehwag, Tom Moody, Richard Pybus, Lalchand Rajput and

Dodda Ganesh

.

It is learned that the advisory committee finalised the interview process on Wednesday and will initiate discussions with candidates this week. "The way this is going, it'll have to be between Viru and Moody, depending on how the advisory committee goes about it," sources added.

The committee is wary of the fact that it finds itself in an "uncomfortable" situation with regards to Kumble. If the Bangalore-based coach is not retained, the committee - consisting Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman - that selected him last year will have to come up with adequate reasons for doing so considering that Team India has done exceptionally well under Kumble the last one year.

There are those who point out that Kumble wasn't qualified for the role of a national coach when he was picked selected last year. The newest favourite for the role, Sehwag, is not a qualified coach either and his only stint so far on the coaching front has been that of a mentor at IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab.

India, for the record, won five Test series - one away and four at home - between June 2016 and March 2017. "Yes, there's no doubt that India did well at home but this (coach selection) is not necessarily going to be viewed from that prism alone. A lot of factors have to be taken into account. But the biggest question is whether Virat and Anil are comfortable working with each other," an official tracking developments said.

The advisory committee could consult Kohli yet again on the matter, before the interview process eventually begins. However, this could not be independently confirmed.