The appointment of former Australian Test batsman Geoff Marsh as Indian cricket consultant has been cast in doubt after vocal opposition from officials and ex-players.

Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has been the most damning by slamming the Indian Cricket Board in his newspaper column for spending a packet on a consultant for ideas that are not all that revolutionary.

Marsh had resigned as an Australian selector to take up the post but the Indian Cricket Board has now deferred the decision until March.

Marsh had earlier been approached to take over as the first foreign coach of the Indian national team, but the Indian Cricket Board picked New Zealand's John Wright instead when the Australian reportedly demanded a large fee.

© 2001 AAP