It would be an honour to serve the country's national cricket team, reveals Manoj Prabhakar

Former India right-arm pacer, Manoj Prabhakar, recently confirmed rumors that he had applied for the currently vacant position of head coach of India women’s cricket team, after the BCCI opted against renewing Ramesh Powar’s contract. Prabhakar will be up against the likes of former South Africa cricketer, Herschelle Gibbs, who is also rumored to be interested in the job.

In a recent interview with PTI reporters, 55-year old Prabhakar who retired in 1996, revealed that it would be an honour for him to coach the Indian national team in some form or another. 

"Yes, I have applied for the chief coach's post. It would be an honour to serve the country's national cricket team in any capacity," Prabhakar told PTI on Sunday.

If shortlisted for the job, Prabhakar might be interviewed by former teammate Kapil Dev along with Anshuman Gaekwad and Shantha Rangaswamy. The former Afghanistan bowling coach suggested he had enough experience to coach the likes of Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana and the rest of the Indian team.

"You asked me if I had applied or not and I said yes. Why did I apply? Because I feel that I can contribute with my cricketing knowledge. There is so much talent in women's game and I think I have the experience to help the likes of Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana," he added.

However, the last date for submitting CVs for the vacant post is December 14 but there are questions being raised whether both Prabhakar and Gibbs would make the shortlist considering their involvement in match fixing scandals in the past.

"If the committee, after doing due diligence, finds their candidature suitable, they will be shortlisted. As far as controversies are concerned, Gibbs had played for Deccan Chargers in 2008 IPL and Prabhakar has coached Delhi, UP and Rajasthan in Ranji Trophy, much after the controversy. So it won't be an issue," a senior BCCI official told TOI.