MUMBAI, Graham Ford, the man who could have been India's coach on their current tour of England, may be back in the country soon. This time not with the national team or the BCCI, but with the Indian Cricket League (ICL).

Senior ICL officials revealed to TOI that discussions had started with South African Ford to coach one of the six city-centric teams during the month-long Twenty20 tournament.

Ford, currently director of cricket with English county side Kent, was offered and later accepted the national coach's job in June this year. Subsequently, Ford turned his back on the BCCI. He decided to stay on with Kent rather than move to India.

Now, with Ford being linked to the ICL, the question still remains if he wants to come to India. ICL officials do not see any problem with that. "It is just going to be a month-long event," a senior official said.

However, Ford denied any contact with the ICL ‘as of now'. "I am aware of the ICL. I know of a lot of players who are considering its offer. So far I have not had anything come my way," Ford told TOI from England.

Does it mean he will not take up the offer? "It depends on the timing of the tournament and what I am required to do with the league," said Ford. Apart from Ford, the ICL is also planning to rope in a few Indian coaches. While the names are still not clear, Anshuman Gaekwad has been linked to the ICL