Kapil replaces Gaekwad as India coach

According to newly elected Board president A C Muthiah, Kapil has been appointed coach for a two-year period and has set no conditions for accepting the job. Incidentally, Kapil, had a couple of days ago, expressed his inclination to take up the job but on the condition that he was given a say in selecting the team and the freedom to involve himself in domestic cricket and tap talent at the junior level.

However, Kapil told The Indian Express in the evening that he had not yet been informed by the Board so far and could react only after hearing officially of his appointment.

The appointment of Kapil as coach means that India A8217; coach KrisSrikkanth, who was the favourite for the job, has to be accommodated somewhere else. Though the Board has not officially announced what the composition of the new selection committee will be, it is believed that Srikkanth will replace Shivlal Yadav from the South as the new selector.

Ajit Wadekar, who has come in for criticism of late for taking decisions without informing his colleagues, is going to get the sack and his place will be taken by Gaekwad. It appears a strange decision. If Gaekwad has been removed as a coach, it must be because the board perceives he has not done a good job; then why reward him for his failure? But that8217;s how the Indian cricket board runs and in its vote politics anything is possible.

The remaining three selectors retain their places: Ashok Malhotra from the East, Anil Deshpande from the Central and Madan Lal from the North. Madan will also be chairman of the selection committee.