Akram, Amre, Wright to make presentation for KKR coach's job

Pakistani great Wasim Akram, former India batsman Pravin Amre and ex-India coach John Wright will make presentations for the Kolkata Knight Riders coach's post in Mumbai on August 30.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who is tipped to return as the skipper of the side, said the trio would be interviewed on August 30 in Mumbai.

Talking to PTI on the sideline of his shooting for the TV reality show 'Dadagiri', Ganguly said nothing had been finalised yet.

"Akram is part of the final few coaches who have been called on August 30.

"He along with (John) Wright and (Pravin) Amre have been called. I would also go to Mumbai that time," Ganguly said.

Incidentally, Akram is learnt to be less keen on a full-time coach's job and would like to work as a consultant.

The Knight Riders management has already interviewed the likes of Australia batsman Michael Bevan and former England player Dermot Reeves for the job.

Among the Indians, former Indian batsmen WV Raman, Ashok Malhotra and Lalchand Rajput have given their presentations in front of principal owner Shah Rukh Khan, co-owner Jay Mehta and Ganguly earlier this week.

According to a Knight Riders insider, the team was looking for a blend of Indian and foreign coaching panel.

Former Indian batsman, Amre, incidentally was assistant coach of the Mumbai Indians for the second season of the IPL.

The Kolkata franchisee, which sacked coach John Buchanan after a disastrous last place finish in the second edition of the IPL earlier this year, remains tight-lipped about the whole process.

"Among the Indians, the names doing the rounds are (India fielding coach) Robin Singh, Chandrakant Pandit and Paras Mhambrey," said a source. 

The source claimed that the management was unhappy with Wright after the New Zealander revealed to the media in Chennai that he was in talks with the Knight Riders. 

"Wright's chances are slim. The team management is not happy with him after he disclosed he was running for the post. In the morning, it seems, Shah Rukh Khan had a word with him," claimed the source. 

That Wright does not have the experience of handling a Twenty20 side is another factor going against the New Zealander, he added. 

Wright is currently in Chennai with New Zealand A side that is playing in the Buchi Babu Tournament. 

"Moreover, he is a New Zealand selector and it would be difficult for him to devote full time to Knight Riders," said the source.

KKR CEO Joy Bhattacharya was not available for a comment.