MBA graduate applies for Indian coach's post

NEW DELHI: An MBA graduate with no experience in playing cricket has applied to be the coach of the Indian team, a board official said Tuesday.

"One of the applications we have received is from an MBA graduate, despite the fact that he has not played any cricket. In the column where applicants have to state their cricketing experience, he has written that he has never played cricket," the official said on condition of anonymity.

"Further, he has written that he did not think it was essential to play cricket to coach a team. He said that it required a different kind of skill to manage the team," the official said. He declined to name the individual.

Currently, the Indian team has an ad hoc coach, former Test player Lalchand Rajput.

The team has not had a permanent coach since March when the two-year contract of former Australia captain Greg Chappell ended and he decided not to seek an extension.

Board president Sharad Pawar has said that a new appointment would be made before the team's tour of Australia starts Dec 20.