Hours after the Indian cricket team left for their Champions Trophy campaign, the Indian cricket board issued a press release, inviting applications for the position of the Head Coach for the men's team. While the board has not made any obvious connection between the two, sources in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have told NDTV that they are 'unhappy' with Kumble's role in players' pay negotiations just before the IPL final.

Anil Kumble spoke to the Committee of Administrators (CoA), while Virat Kohli joined on Skype, asking for 150 per cent hike in the retainership of the Grade A players. Also, Kumble himself demanded Rs 7.5 crore per annum. His present salary is around Rs 6.25 crore.

The release, headlined 'Applications invited for the position of Head Coach for Indian Cricket Team (Men)', states: "The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would like to call upon interested candidates to apply for the position of 'Head Coach' for Indian Cricket Team (Men).

"The process has been initiated since the term of the current coach, Mr. Anil Kumble concludes with the Champions Trophy," it further said.

"Present Head Coach, Mr. Anil Kumble will be a direct entry for the process.

"To ensure a fair and completely transparent process, a nominee of the Committee of Administrators (CoA) will oversee the entire process along with the Cricket Advisory Committee," it added.

"The BCCI's three-member Cricket Advisory Committee comprising Mr. Sachin Tendulkar, Mr. Sourav Ganguly and Mr. VVS Laxman will conduct interviews and seek presentations to select the best possible candidate to guide the team and take Indian Cricket forward," it adds.

While the administrators have given a chance to the bowling legend to return to the top job, they aren't making his road any easier.

He will once again have to send his CV and appear for an interview with the Cricket Advisory Committee of Ganguly, Tendulkar and Laxman.

"Obviously, he is in contention as the current chief coach," a BCCI official told PTI.

The surprising aspect has been the timing of the announcement for inviting fresh applications as the team just landed in UK on Thursday for their Champions Trophy defence.

"Obviously BCCI could have waited till the end of the Champions Trophy to invite applications. But then no one should take his place for granted," the source added.

"Kumble is bargaining for himself as well as the players. Fair enough but tomorrow if BCCI decides to replace him, he will not be in a position to bargain. Some of his demands have been simply inexplicable," the official said.

Some in the cricket circles feel, "the legendary player has been insulted by the BCCI and the process could have been done after the Champions Trophy was over."

Promoted

Kumble has also asked for the promotion of Sanjay Bangar as assistant coach and Zaheer Khan as bowling coach.

(With PTI Inputs)