Ravi Shastri applies for Team India's head coach post

Former cricketer Ravi Shastri on Monday formally applied for the post of Team India's head coach.

The development comes almost a week after he confirmed that he would be applying for the post. The former India captain, who enjoys the backing of skipper Virat Kohli, is said to be the frontrunner to take up the role.

Shastri was the director of the Indian team between 2014 and 2016 during which time he led the Men in Blue to the semi-finals of the World Cup and 2015 World T20.

The 55-year-old had also applied for the job in 2016 but legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble was chosen over him by Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC).

The CAC, comprising Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman, will be interviewing the candidates on July 10.

The head coach position has been vacant since Anil Kumble's resignation following India's 180-run defeat against arch-rivals Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final at the Oval on June 18.

Earlier, Kumble informed that skipper Virat Kohli had reservations about his work 'style' and his extension as the head coach, which prompted him to resign.

In a strongly worded letter, Kumble took to Twitter to reveal the reason behind his surprising decision.

Former Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, Lalchand Rajput, Dodda Ganesh, Richard Pybus, Virender Sehwag and Tom Moody have all applied for the post.

However, the BCCI invited fresh applications and the deadline was extended to July 9.

The BCCI has already stated that Team India will get its new head coach before their tour to Sri Lanka beginning July 26.

-ANI