Former Australian captain Greg Chappell has been named as India's new cricket coach, with the main task of preparing the team for the 2007 World Cup.

"The job is a great challenge. It's a full time commitment," Chappell told reporters after his appointment was announced.

A six-member selection committee unanimously recommended Chappell from among four contenders who were interviewed on Thursday.

Chappell will coach the team until June 2007, Board of Control for Cricket in India President Ranbir Singh Mahendra told reporters.

"My vision is for a commitment to excellence for the Indian cricket team, on and off the field ... It will take time to unfold," said Chappell, who added he would like to have a say in the selection of the team.

"The Indian team is number three in Test cricket and number eight in one-day cricket. Hopefully, we can improve that standing," he said.

"It's not going to happen overnight."

Chappell's appointment will now be ratified by the BCCI Working Committee meeting in June, which is considered to be a formality.

Mahendra said Chappell would likely take charge of the team in the first week of June.

Mohinder Amarnath, a star of India's lone World Cup triumph in 1983, Australia's Tom Moody and former West Indies opener Desmond Haynes were the other contenders.

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