Former India star and current India 'A' coach Sandeep Patil has accepted an offer from the Oman Cricket Association to guide the country's national cricket squad in the forthcoming ICC Trophy one-day tournament.
But Patil is still hopeful of taking up the India 'A' coaching job if invited in his free time.
"I'm taking up this job to coach the Oman national team only because India A don't have any schedule to look forward to. It's an unfortunate situation," Patil said in Mumbai on Monday.
"I had written to BCCI asking them to provide me with a calendar of events for the India 'A' team. But they don't have any programme. I can't wait indefinitely for something to crop up. I have a responsibility towards my family," Patil said.
Asked about his new stint, the former Test middle-order batsman said he was expected to visit Oman four times to coach the cricketers prior to guiding them in the ICC Trophy event in Ireland in July.
"The ICC Trophy is the qualifying event for the 2007 World Cup. I had earlier coached this team which reached the final of the 16-team ACC Trophy in Kuala Lumpur and lost to the UAE (United Arab Emirates)," Patil said.
"But in between if BCCI wants my services for India 'A', I am still available as I would not be stationed in Oman as I was in Nairobi, as coach of the Kenyan national squad," he added.
Patil said the formal announcement of his taking up as Oman coach is expected to be made by the country's authorities on Tuesday at the Cricket Club of India at a function to honour the Sultan of Oman.
Asked whether he had communicated his decision to the BCCI, Patil said there was no need to do so, as he had signed no contract with the Indian Board.
"I have not signed any contract with the BCCI," he said adding he was able to guide the India 'A' players only on two overseas tours (England, Kenya and Zimbabwe) during his one and a half year stint with the country's second-stringers.
"I was very happy with the results that we got and the number of players who have made it to the senior team from its (India A) ranks," Patil said.
