Borde new Team India manager;existing players' contract to continue

New Delhi, Jun 12 (UNI) The BCCI today appointed former captain Chandu Borde as the new team manager for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England even as the board tried to put up a brave face in the wake of Graham Ford's blunt refusal to coach India.

The Ford fiasco took the centrestage, among other issues, in the board's Working Committee meet which also decided to continue with the existing contract for the players.

''As in the case of Bangladesh Tour, we are sending a former selection committee chairman Mr Chandu Borde as Cricket Manager for the upcoming Ireland and the England tours,'' BCCI Treasurer N Srinivasan said.

BCCI president Sharad Pawar proposed the 72-year-old former India skipper's name and no other name was discussed.

The Board also decided to extend the services of bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad and fielding coach Robin Singh for one more year.

''He will be assisted by bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad and fielding coach Robin Singh. The Board has decided to extend their contracts by one year,'' Mr Srinivasan said.

Meawhile, the board seemed at pains to explain that Ford's refusal to take up the job ''was not a public embarrassment.'' ''The board doesn't see it as an embarrassment. It happens in life. We see the episode in that way. The chapter is closed for us, nothing is left,'' Mr Srinivasan said.

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