Mumbai: Former Sri Lankan batsman Thilan Samaraweera, who is working with the visiting New Zealand team as a batting consultant has applied for the same job with the Indian cricket board, it is learnt here.
According to the highly placed sources in the BCCI, Thilan Samaraweera is the only Sri Lankan player among more than a dozen worldwide players have applied for the post.
Indian team, however, has already been hiring the services of a Sri Lankan. The 4-year-old Nuwan Seneviratne, who has only played two First-Class matches is working with Team India as a throwdown specialist. He was with the Indian team in the World Cup and is now associated with Kohli's men in West Indies.
The 42-year-old Samaraweera, however, is unlikely to be invited for the interview. The selection of the support staff-barring head coach-will be made by the chief selector MSK Prasad.
There was also speculation that former Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has applied for the head coach position. However, his application never reached the level.
Interestingly, his name was also associated with coaching in Pakistan. Former Pak pacer Wasim Akram, who is on a Cricket Committee is believed to have had suggested Jayawardene's name. MJ, as he is being widely known, is, however, unlikely to accept the role. He has not been interviewed for the post. He is attached with the Mumbai Indians team.
The coach finding committee will be interviewing the head coaches in Mumbai on Friday.
