Picking coach is not a tough job: Kapil Dev

Kapil refused to give much importance to the fact that skipper Virat Kohli had openly backed current head coach Ravi Shastri to get another term. © Getty

All eyes will be on the three-member Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), under the leadership of Kapil Dev, when they get down to select the next head coach of Team India.

The legendary allrounder, along with Anshuman Gaekwad and Shantha Rangaswamy, will be scrutinizing and analyzing all the applications before they arrive at a decision.

Just like his playing days, Kapil is completely at ease even as he faces a high-pressure task. "Pressure, what pressure?" he shot back when asked about the upcoming responsibility. "It is not tough. You do your job to the best of your abilities. It becomes tough only when you don't fulfil your responsibilities," he said.

In the city to receive the 'Bharat Gaurav' award during East Bengal Club's centenary year celebrations, Kapil refused to give much importance to the fact that skipper Virat Kohli had openly backed current head coach Ravi Shastri to get another term.

"That's his (Kohli's) opinion, and everybody's opinion should be respected," Kapil stated.

Kapil played down reports of an alleged rift between Kohli and Rohit Sharma, post India's World Cup semifinal exit. The former India skipper felt such an issue is nothing new and should not be a cause of concern so long as the team is performing as a unit.

"There can be off-the-field differences, but it all ultimately boils down to how you play on the field. Everyone should only look at that," said India's greatest allrounder.

In fact, he welcomed and accepted differences of opinion in the team. "I feel outside the field, there can be differences in the way of thinking or approach towards the game. But when you're playing, there should be only one aim and that is how we can win a match. That is important," he remarked.

Although Kohli himself had rubbished suggestions of a rift with Rohit ahead of the team's departure for Florida - for the first two T20 Internationals - Kapil made an interesting observation. "Remember differences of opinion don't mean you are pulling somebody down."

He took a dig at the media for playing up such issues. "Thoda bahut toh aap bhi help karte ho naa rumour banane mein. (You people also do your bit in spreading rumours)," he said.