Virat Kohli to choose next India head coach?

BCCI CEO Rahul Johri will be in Jamaica to meet Indian captain Virat Kohli and his team, in an attempt to get a feedback on the appointment of the new head coach

Photo: AFP

New Delhi: Virat Kohli was one of the pivotal factors behind Anil Kumble’s resignation and now the Indian captain is all set to call all the shots in deciding the next India head coach as BCCI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rahul Johri has decided to be in Jamaica to meet Kohli and his team in an attempt to know their opinion about Kumble’s replacement.

Johri is expected to arrive in Kingston by Wednesday evening to have a detailed discussion with skipper Kohli on the appointment of the coach and other support staff.

"Yes, Rahul has left for Jamaica with permission of the Committee of Administrators (COA). He has been instructed with the task of getting feedback from the captain and the team. The team's feedback will then be passed to the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) to take all parameters into account," a BCCI official privy to the development told.

The BCCI CEO’s move to fly to the Caribbean islands again throws open the question of the role of CAC on deciding the next coach of Team India. If there was any need of a special committee involving former greats Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman when the captain’s choice was going to be given more weightage.

The move is perceived by many as BCCI and COA's method of trying to gauge the mood of the team as they don't want any discord over new appointee.

A few days ago, Kohli had said that he will only air his view if the BCCI asks for it.

"From a personal point of view, I can't pinpoint anything or give details. We as a team, contrary to a lot of perceptions, only voice our opinions when asked by the BCCI for suggestions. So that is something we have always gone through as a process and that's something we respect as a team," Kohli had said during an interaction with media during the Antigua leg of the series.

Interestingly, COA chief Vinod Rai had categorically stated that CAC will decide on next head coach and the captain and players will only speak if needed. But things considerably changed after former India Team Director Ravi Shastri’s decision to throw his hat in the ring. 

Johri’s move to bypass CAC and meet players first is another indicator that it's a formality before Ravi Shastri, believed to be the favoured choice of captain Kohli takes over the reins.

Shastri’s application sent Sehwag away from limelight even though he was also a favoured choice of Kohli.

The CAC on the other hand is divided within itself. According to sources Sachin is in favour of giving a second innings to Shahstri and Ganguly like last year is in no mood to allow that. Once again the ball may land up in Laxman’s court to break the deadlock. 

However, with the current developments, it looks unlikely that the CAC would even play a key role in deciding the next coach.