Whatmore, who has been offered a three-year contract, said he would like to give space to the coaches during his stint at the academy located in Bangalore.

"The contract is for three years and I'll be in Bangalore by the end of this month.

"The specifics have to be worked out, but I expect the NCA to be operational for 8-10 months (a year). Eventually, one would like Indian coaches to impart all the training but, if needed, one may call specialists from overseas. However, one doesn't have to cross that bridge right now," he said.

The Australian was approached for the job by NCA Chairman Ravi Shastri and he accepted the offer.

Whatmore guided Sri Lanka to World Cup victory in 1996 and helped lowly Bangladesh reach the second round of the mega event this year after a shock win over India.

He was in the race for the Indian team coach's job after Greg Chappell called it quits. But he was surprisingly left out of the shortlist in June this year and the job was offered to South African Graham Ford, who later turned it down.

However, Whatmore has left the bitter experience with the Indian Cricket Board behind and is looking forward to his new assignment.