BCCI likely Full Indian team squad to West Indies tour 2011

Stephen Fleming or Duncan Fletcher, or both could be handed over the reigns of Team India as coaches. But the BCCI may also delay the appointment if senior Indian players opt to not travel to the West Indies in the month of June.

Currently players in the national team are troubled about a few things. Firstly, some aren't very happy with the goodies that have come their way from the BCCI coffers post the World Cup victory.

Second, there are some who believe that every player who has been out on the field continuously over the last eight to ten months deserves a break if he feels so and it would be wrong if only a few seniors get that privilege.

TOI has reliably learnt that players have been specifically told that no exceptions will be made in case they're thinking of taking a break during the West Indies tour. BCCI intends to send a full fledged squad for the three Test series in the Caribbean and will look forward to sending as many top ranked cricketers as possible for the Twenty20 match and the five one-day internationals that precede the Tests.

The issue is likely to gather a bit of steam as days pass by. For the record, after returning from the gruelling series in South Africa, most players who form the crux of the national squad were busy for 43 days during the World Cup and currently are in the middle of an equally straining 50-day IPL.

India are scheduled to visit West Indies from June 4 to July 10 which will be immediately followed by a much longer tour of England involving four Tests, a T20 game and five one-dayers.

"There cannot be an iron-hand ruling on this. If three or four cricketers feel that they've played too much cricket and deserve a break, the other 10 or 12 are not at fault because they want to be treated the same way," says a source linked with the developments.

While the BCCI takes it own time sorting things out, these are reasons that may lead to the delay in appointment of the new coach if at all. Further, it is completely impractical to do delay the appointment, considering that it would be in the best interests of the team - whether full fledged or second string - to start the season afresh under the man who replaces Kirsten.

"What's the hurry? India is leaving for West Indies on June 1," board president Shashank Manohar said in response to queries on when the new coach will be appointed. "We're still in the process of finding one."

If the coach is not appointed ahead of the tour of West Indies, the BCCI is most likely to send across a temporary coach-cum-manager until the formalities are done.

While Zimbabwe-born Fletcher happens to be Kirsten's recommendation - and certainly someone with a proven record, Fleming - who is currently coaching BCCI secretary N Srinivasan-owned IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings - is equally in the fray.

In the past, Fleming has been quoted as saying that he's "not interested in international coaching." When TOI asked him if he still maintains that stand, Fleming smiled and said, "I am aware of what you're getting at. I haven't thought a lot about my coaching career. It is something I'll consider as time goes on."