Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri on Monday formally applied for Team India’s head coach position, which has been lying vacant since Anil Kumble decided to step down 

According to NDTV,  Shastri – who served as team director between 2014 and 2016 – is the favourite for the post as Indian players have thrown their weight behind the veteran. Interestingly, Shastri lost out to Kumble for the same position last year, and is now back in the reckoning.

b”Shastri was Indian team’s director between 2014 and 2016. AFP.xc2xa0″

Kumble decided to step down as India coach after the reports of a rift with skipper Virat Kohli. The ICC Champions Trophy final, which India lost to Pakistan, was the former leg-spinner’s final game in charge. In his statement, Kumble wrote that Kohli was not happy with his style and their relationship had become ‘untenable.’

Virender Sehwag, Tom Moody, Lalchand Rajput, Dodda Ganesh and Richard Pybus have already applied for the post. The Cricket Advisory Committee which comprises of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman will pick India’s next coach. The interviews will take place on July 10. 

Feature image: AFP