`Coach before Delhi Test’

The board has already interviewed former Australian skipper Greg Chappell and former New Zealand captain John Wright for the post. Another Australian Geoff Marsh is also in the running but has not been interviewed so far.

“Marsh did not come for the interview but sent a two line fax saying he wants to be interviewed,” Dungarpur said. “But if Marsh does not come before October 31, we will be compelled to take a decision from among the two.

“We are waiting to hear from Marsh. Unfortunately, we cannot wait for long. At the moment, we are in no-man’s land.”

Dungarpur said the decision (on the coach) will also depend on how soon the new coach was willing to take up his assignment. “We are keen to know the availability of these coaches and how quickly they can assume their duties.”

“In the case of Chappell, he has a contractual obligation with the South Australian Cricket Association while Marsh is a selector of the Australian Cricket Board.

“We will like to have the best coach from among the three but we have to take into consideration the time factor too, which is equally important,” Dungarpur said.

Dungarpur was very appreciative of the work done by interim coach Anshuman Gaekwad. “Gaekwad has done a wonderful job standing in as a coach. On behalf of the board and Indian cricket, I deeply appreciate it,” he said. “He is the only one who could have done it during such a period, and he has done a grand job.”

Asked whether Gaekwad may be asked to continue in his position, Dungarpur said the cricket board had decided to go in for a foreign coach but Gaekwad, “with his vast experience, knowledge and commitment to the game,” does have role to play, perhaps in talent scouting for the national academy.