Interviews Begin For Next India coach; Will Be Handed Contract Till 2021 World T20

With the team doing so well under Shastri in its 'transition phase', it is all but certain that the former India all-rounder would continue to coach Virat Kohli-led Indian cricket team

The three-member Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising Kapil Dev, Anshuman Gaekwad and Shantha Rangaswamy on Friday began the process to choose India's next men's coach with former all-rounder Robin Singh appearing first for the interview. BCCI will hold a press conference today at 7 pm in Mumbai to announce the selected candidate. The Kapil Dev led-panel is not too keen on a foreign face and Shastri is the favourite to retain his position as the head coach. With the team doing so well under Shastri in its 'transition phase', it is all but certain that the former India all-rounder would continue to coach the Virat Kohli-led Indian cricket team. Speaking to IANS, a board functionary confirmed that the one selected will be at the helm till the 2021 World T20 and said that even the support staff that will be picked by chief selector M.S.K. Prasad and team will be given an identical contract. "The head coach will be at the helm of affairs till the 2021 World T20 and after that it will be a process of re-appointment or selection of a new coach as has been the trend in recent years. The support staff will also be handed contracts till the World T20 as continuity is very important considering the big ticket events that are lined up over the next couple of years," the functionary said. India skipper Virat Kohli has been very vocal, 'publicly' about having 'Ravi Bhai' around for more time despite the criticism, Shastri faced following the semi-final ouster from the World Cup. "Well, the CAC (Cricket Advisory Committee headed by Kapil Dev) has not contacted me on this. But all of us share a great camaraderie with Ravi bhai and would definitely be very happy (to have him around)," Kohli had said prior to his departure for the West Indies, making it clear where he stands on the issue. Six names -- incumbent Ravi Shastri, Singh, Lalchand Rajput, Mike Hesson, Tom Moody, Phil Simmons -- have been shortlisted for the high-profile position. Singh was followed by Rajput, who was the team's manager when it won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. The CAC members, on arrival, side-stepped questions on whether Shastri is a clear favourite to retain the job.