Lalchand Rajput to give interview for Indian coach role via Skype

Afghanistan will play their first-ever game at Lords against an MCC XI in a 50-over contest, which will take place on July 11 - a day after the Indian coach selection interview, which virtually made it impossible for him to attend in front the Cricket Advisory Committee in person. 

Speaking to Kashmiri Times, Rajput said, "I shall be leaving for London on 6th July to be with the Afghanistan team and not scheduled to return before our match against the MCC at Lord's on 11th July.” 

"However, I will be available to appear before the committee for the interview, provided I am asked to do so,” he added.

Rajput, who has played 2 Tests and 4 ODIs' for India, attended last year’s interview in front of the same panel as well, but with Anil Kumble and Ravi Shashtri in the race, he was left disappointed. However, the 55-year old was then roped in by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to replace Inzamam-ul-Haq as the head coach of the national team. Under his stewardship, Afghanistan performed well in Zimbabwe and West Indies along with securing Test status. 

"He is a good coach but will allow him to go if he is chosen to coach the Indian team. For his better prospects, we will not come in his way,” Afghanistan Cricket Board chief Atiq Marshall said.

After retiring from the game, Rajput served as the Joint Honorary Secretary of the Mumbai Cricket Association and also had a successful stint as the coach of the Under-19 Indian cricket team. He was also the manager of the Indian set-up when they won the inaugural World T20 in South Africa in 2007.