BCCI shortlists 21 out of 57 applicants for chief coach's post

List has been forwarded to the high-powered CAC comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman

The BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke on Wednesday pruned the list of 57 applications for India's chief coach's post to 21 and it has been forwarded to the high-powered Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman.

The committee, which will be assisted by former secretary and national selector Sanjay Jagdale as its co-ordinator, will submit the report within 22nd June to BCCI President Anurag Thakur through secretary Shirke.

The BCCI issued a media release that also stated that Sachin Tendulkar, currently holidaying in England, will be available via video-conference.

"The cricket advisory committee which consists of three eminent cricketers, namely Mr. Sachin Tendulkar, Mr.Sourav Ganguly and Mr. VVS Laxman in association with Mr Sanjay Jagdale, who will act as Chief Co-ordinator of this committee for the purpose of the selection of the Head Coach will be handed over the 21 eligible applications," the release stated.

"Mr Sanjay Jagdale brings a wealth of cricket and cricket administration experience to help run the operations of this committee smoothly. The said committee under the coordination of Mr Jagdale will process and scrutinise all the applications, conduct interviews and seek presentations from candidates as the committee deems fit," it further stated.

"Should the committee desire to look at all the 57 applications as well, the said will be made available to them.

"The committee will be required to go through the process and on completion, recommend its choice of selection to the President of the BCCI, Mr Anurag Thakur, through the Hony Secretary. The primary operations and activities of the committee will be carried out in the Mumbai office of the BCCI."

"Mr Sachin Tendulkar who is a key member of this committee, but is out of the country, has confirmed his availability as and when required through video conference facilities," stated the release.

A number of high-profile names including Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble, Sandeep Patil have applied for the top job.