NEW DELHI (AP) _ Former captain Chandu Borde has been chosen manager of the Indian cricket team for its upcoming tour of Ireland and England, according to the CNN-IBN television news channel.

Borde's unexpected appointment came during a meeting of the Indian cricket board's working committee to discuss the situation following South African Graham Ford's decision to decline its offer to coach the Indian team.

A formal announcement was expected later Tuesday.

``I am happy,'' Borde told CNN-IBN.

Asked about his plans for the Indian team, he said: ``Let me get the official confirmation first.'' Borde will replace Ravi Shastri as manager.

It was not immediately clear whether Borde, 73, would also have to carry out coaching duties in case the board is unable to name a full-time coach to replace Australia's Greg Chappell.

India is scheduled to play three one-day matches against South Africa and one-off games against Ireland and Pakistan in Belfast and Glasgow between June 23 and July 3 before starting a full tour of England in mid-July.

Borde, a right-hand batsman, played 55 Test matches for India from 1959 to 1967, scoring 3,061 runs. He scored five test hundreds.

Ford, 46, was offered the Indian coach's position by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently.

Ford said in a statement Monday he has decided to stay on as coach of the Kent English county cricket club.

Ford, a former coach of the South African team, and former England spinner John Emburey were the two shortlisted candidates interviewed by the seven-member selection panel headed by board president Sharad Pawar.

The national coach's position was vacated two months ago by former Australian Test captain Chappell, who left after India's disastrous World Cup performance.

India, a former champion and finalist in 2003, was knocked out from the preliminary round of this year's World Cup in the West Indies.