New Delhi - Anil Kumble's term as India coach looks set to
be extended until the end of the West Indies tour next month, a top official
said on Monday.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) advertised
for a head coach in May with Kumble's one-year deal due to expire at the end of
the Champions Trophy in England this week.
The first one-day international in the West Indies just 10
days away with Kumble in the mix for the post along with former India opening
batsman Virender Sehwag and Australian coach Tom Moody, according to media
reports.
But BCCI official Vinod Rai said a special panel overseeing
the selection was yet to decide if someone else will take the reins.
"Since it has got delayed, Anil Kumble, subject to his
acceptance, will be there till the West Indies tour," Rai, who is chairman
of the Committee of Administrators, told reporters on Monday.
India will play five one-day internationals in the Caribbean
starting June 23, with a Twenty20 international wrapping up the trip on July 9.
Rumours of a rift between Indian skipper Virat Kohli and
Kumble were reported to be behind the BCCI throwing open the position.
Former India greats Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS
Laxman have been tasked with selecting the next coach.
Rai, whose special committee was assigned by the Supreme
Court to oversee the scandal-ridden cricket board, dismissed allegations of a
spat between Kumble and Kohli.
"There is no question of any controversy... We
discussed with Kohli, we discussed with Kumble and neither of them confirmed to
what has come out of media reports," said Rai.
Rai's committee has also been dogged by controversy. One of
its high-profile members, historian Ramachandra Guha, resigned earlier this
month, citing the committee's mishandling of the Kumble situation.