India conducts World Cup inquiry

Coach Greg Chappell leaves after speaking to Board officials

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has begun a two-day meeting in Mumbai to discuss the national team’s early exit from the World Cup.

Coach Greg Chappell, who resigned his position last week, gave a report on the team’s performance.

He then left the Wankhede Stadium, but there have been reports that he has been asked to reconsider his decision.

Captain Rahul Dravid, chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar and manager Sanjay Jagdale are also attending the meeting.

The Board, headed by president Sharad Pawar, hopes to chart a future course of action to improve the national team and the domestic game.

And a number of former Indian captains have been invited to give their suggestions on how to take things forward.

It is thought Dravid’s position will also be discussed, with some backing batting star Sachin Tendulkar to take over as skipper.

India, the World Cup finalist in 2003, did not even make it to the Super 8 stage of the current tournament in the West Indies after losing group matches against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The defeats were greeted with outrage among some supporters in cricket-crazy India, where the game is followed with religious passion and leading players enjoy demi-god status.