Seventy-two-year-old Borde, an attacking batsman and an equally competent leg-spinner, played in 55 Tests and scored 3061 runs and took 52 wickets.
NEW DELHI: Embarrassed by Graham Ford's refusal to become India's cricket coach, the BCCI on Tuesday appointed 72-year-old former skipper Chandu Borde as manager for the tour of Ireland and England, and decided to search afresh for a new coach.
The former all-rounder who retired from international cricket in 1969 will be the manager when the team goes to Ireland and England later this month.
Putting a brave face to Ford's snub, the Board said that it was "a clear case" of the South African "changing his mind".
"We asked Ford whether it was a question of 'if or when' he would join the team, he said 'when'. So it is a clear case that Ford later changed his mind," BCCI Treasurer N Srinivasan said at a press conference.
Srinivasan also sought to scotch speculation that Ford did not take up the BCCI's offer because he was not satisfied with its terms.
"It was not the duration or the financial part of the contract as speculated," he said.
"The coach selection panel will meet later to find a full-time coach. We hope to have the new coach soon," he added.
Borde was in-charge of the Indian team on the historic 1988-89 tour of Pakistan.
An attacking middle order batsman and an equally competent leg-spinner, Borde played in 55 Tests and scored 3061 runs and took 52 wickets.
He was twice chief national selector, first during 1982-84 and then at the turn of the millennium.
India are to play three ODIs against South Africa in Ireland between June 26 and July 1.
They then contest a one-off one-day international against Pakistan at Glasgow, Scotland, on July 3 before moving to England for a full-fledged series - between July 7 and September 8 - of three Tests and seven ODIs.
Borde expressed his surprise at being chosen for the job but accepted it as a challenge.
"This has come as a very pleasant surprise. I am very happy to accept it. I take it as a challenge," he said from Pune.
"I was the manager in 1989 in Pakistan which was a very tough tour. Our team did very well (Krish Srikkanth was the captain). That was also the debut series for Sachin
(Tendulkar).
"Coming to the present assignment I know all the boys and I look forward to the challenge", the former chief selector said.
Borde looking forward to challenges
Chandu Borde expressed his surprise at being chosen for the job by the Cricket Board but accepted it as a challenge.
"This has come as a very pleasant surprise. I am very happy to accept it. I take it as a challenge," said the former India captain and middle order batting mainstay from Pune.
Borde's last stint as manager was on the 1989 tour of Pakistan when India drew the Test series and made history.
"I was the manager in 1989 in Pakistan which was a very tough tour. Our team did very well (Krish Srikkanth was the captain). That was also the debut series for Sachin
(Tendulkar).
"Coming to the present assignment I know all the boys and I look forward to the challenge", the former chief selector said.
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