Chandu Borde manager for Ireland,England tours

Embarrassed by Graham Ford's refusal to become India's cricket coach, the BCCI today appointed 72-year-old former skipper Chandu Borde as manager for the tour of Ireland and England, and decided to search afresh for a new coach.

The former all-rounder who retired from international cricket in 1969 will be the manager when the team goes to Ireland and England later this month.

Putting a brave face to Ford's snub, the board said that it was "a clear case" of the South African "changing his mind".

"We asked Ford whether it was a question of 'if or when' he would join the team, he said 'when'. So it is a clear case that Ford later changed his mind," BCCI Treasurer N Srinivasan said at a press conference.

Srinivasan also sought to scotch speculation that Ford did not take up the BCCI's offer because he was not satisfied with its terms.

"It was not the duration or the financial part of the contract as speculated," he said.

"The coach selection panel will meet later to find a full-time coach. We hope to have the new coach soon," he added.

Borde was in-charge of the Indian team on the historic 1988-89 tour of Pakistan.

An attacking middle order batsman and an equally competent leg-spinner, Borde played in 55 Tests and scored 3061 runs and took 52 wickets.