MUMBAI, India, CMC – Media reports here say former West Indies coach Phil Simmons has applied for the hotly contested position of India head coach.
The 54-year-old, who has in recent months served as a coaching consultant to Afghanistan, joins the likes of Indians Ravi Shastri and Virender Sehwag, along with Australian Tom Moody and Cricket West Indies’ former director of cricket, Englishman Richard Pybus in the race for the highly regarded position.
Simmons applied during the second round of applications which was initiated by the sudden resignation of incumbent Anil Kumble.
The legendary former Indian leg-spinner’s one-year contract was up for renewal but he was favoured to retain the position based on a recommendation by the Indian Cricket Board’s (BCCI) cricket committee.
In a sudden turn of events just prior to the start of India’s ongoing tour of the Caribbean, Kumble stood down citing an “untenable” relationship with captain Virat Kohli.
Following Kumble’s shock decision, the BCCI extended the application deadline to July 9.
Simmons spent just over a year in charge of West Indies, during that time leading them to the Twenty20 World Cup title in India.
However, he was abruptly axed by CWI for what the board termed “differences in culture and strategic approach.”
Prior to his Caribbean stint, the Trinidadian also spent several years overseeing the Ireland side and Zimbabwe.
Simmons played 26 Tests and 143 One-Day Internationals for West Indies between 1987 and 1999.
