India Great Took Pay Cut To Work For BCCI, Now Reluctant To Apply For 'Taxing' Coach's Job: Report

VVS Laxman's reluctance to become the Indian team's head coach is an open secret but with the former batting stalwart's stint as NCA's 'Head of Cricket' ending in September this year, it remains to be seen how BCCI manages to retain him in the set-up. While Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir is believed to be the favourite among available options for the BCCI, it is still not clear whether secretary Jay Shah has spoken to the national team's senior stars about Gambhir's unanimous acceptability.

Shah, in a statement on Friday to deny reaching out to any Australian candidates, also dropped hints that the Board is looking for an Indian coach, who has come through the ranks and knows the cricketing ecosystem inside out.

Laxman seems to be the most obvious successor given that the stylish former from Hyderabad has been an interim India coach during his nearly three-year stint at NCA (National Cricket Academy).

But he hasn't applied for the post which will be both physically and mentally a taxing for next three and half years. The last date to submit applications is May 27.

Should he choose to apply, Laxman would be on strong footing owing to the goodwill he enjoys at the BCCI's High Performance Centre as the structural head of country's pathways cricket system (India A, Emerging, U-19, and junior women's cricket).

The BCCI would also want to hold on to the 49-year-old and perhaps also convince him to agree for the top job.

"It will be completely up to Jay but he has to convince VVS to be a part of the Indian set-up, at least when they play red ball series," a former BCCI office-bearer told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

"If he is not willing to work full-time, he can always be the consultant when India play marquee