Despite big money on table, Rahul Dravid rejected Anurag Thakur's offer to coach India - Here's why

New Delhi: The selection process of India's new coach, Anil Kumble, was carried out in a fair and transparent manner by the BCCI.

57 candidates applied for the role, with 21 of them being shortlisted. There was an interview round conducted by the Cricket Advisory Committee in Kolkata before conveying its remarks to the BCCI.

Interestingly, BCCI president Anurag Thakur on Thursday claimed that there would have been no need for this process had the board's first choice, Rahul Dravid, accepted the offer.

Speaking to NDTV, the BJP MP revealed why the former India captain did not take up the offer.

“I requested Rahul Dravid to coach the Indian team. He didn't say no, but said that he will work for the junior team. That is the good thing about Dravid. He didn't go for the senior team post, big money and all. He wanted to work for the junior cricketers and not the senior team,” Thakur told the channel.

"I can only do short-term assignments, I can't stay away from home for long periods of time, short assignments suit me better,” is what Thakur claims Dravid told him regarding the offer to coach Team India.

Other big names in the race were Ravi Shastri and Sandeep Patil. Former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad too had applied for the role.

Former cricketers welcomed BCCI's choice and also lauded the organization for opting for a transparent selection process.