Virat Kohli batted for Ravi Shastri as coach before leaving India

NEW DELHI: With Anil Kumble intending to stay on as coach, former opener Virender Sehwag throwing his hat into the ring almost reluctantly and Tom Moody bringing the experience of coaching teams all over the world, it's turning out to be a three-way contest for India's head coach as the Cricket Advisory Committee will begin the interviews on Thursday or Friday.

However, Ravi Shastri remains a dark horse for having the backing of Indian captain Virat Kohli.

It is emerging that before the team left for England on May 23, Kohli had mentioned to both Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman -- two of the three-member cricket advisory committee -- to consider Shastri's candidature. The Indian captain also requested both the former stars to invite Shastri for the interview process.

But it wasn't clear whether Kohli discussed the Shastri issue with Ganguly or not. Since, Shastri didn't apply for the job and, therefore, technically, his candidature can't be taken into consideration. However, if the CAC deems it fit that Shastri is the answer for all the current impasse of the Indian team, he could be called.

Sources said that Committee of Administrators (CoA) has empowered the CAC to decide whether to call Shastri or not. It is also explained that Kohli doesn't have a veto power to decide on the new coach.

The interview process for India's new coach would begin either on Thursday evening after the India-Sri Lanka match or would be held from Friday onwards. Sources close to the CAC said that they would be meeting the applicants -- current coach Anil Kumble, Virender Sehwag and Tom Moody.
The committee could also be meeting Dodda Ganesh and Lalchand Rajput without shortlisting from the six applicants. "The interview process would start from either Thursday evening or Friday onwards. The CAC would meet the candidates individually and, thereafter take the call of the next coach," the source added.