Craig McDermott applies for India head coach

Photo: AFP

New Delhi:  Virat Kohli may have quashed all reports of a feud with coach Anil Kumble, but the race for India’s coach is far from over.  Former Australia fast bowler Craig McDermott’s name is the latest in the run for the high profile job.

On Thursday, which was also the last day to apply for the position, BCCI released names of Virender Sehwag, Tom Moody, Richard Pybus, Lalchand Rajput and Dodda Gonash with Kumble getting an automatic entry as applicants for India’s head coach. However, smog remained on whether that was the complete list. As per the developments on Saturday, it surely wasn’t.

Craig McDermott is now a new challenger for Kumble, whose term ends with the Champions Trophy.

“Yes, I have thrown my hat in the ring for India’s head coaching job,” McDermott told Sportstar.

So was he a late entry? The lanky former Australia quick clarifies that he was one of the primary ones to apply.

“I completed all the procedure on time, and the application was sent much earlier,” said McDermott.

McDermott worked with Starc and Co. as the bowling coach of Australia and was also one of the main reasons for Australia’s triumph in 2015 World Cup.

BCCI had decided against giving Kumble an automatic extension despite his stunning run in the last season, which led to speculations about a cold relation between Kohli and Kumble.

Kohli, though trashed all the reports terming them as mere speculations.

That doesn’t alter the fact that the race to become the head coach of India is heating up. With the BCCI yet to disclose the full list, one can’t rule out another McDermott-like revelation in days to come.