My choice is Greg Chappel. The fact remains that there are plenty of quality international coaches and most of them are good to take up the challenge. But it is those who see coaching the Indian team to higher echelons as their challenge the ones I deem fit.
The Indian team is a passionate lot under Saurav Ganguly. The new coach should therefore have motivational skills driven by no-nonsensical and practical approach; a genuine interest to improve the team from their present state; and one who would not heed to internal political pressures.
People who qualify in this regard will be ones like Jeffery Boycott, but he is unwell to take up this responsibility and I also feel that he is short of patience and modern skills for the challenge.
Greg runs an academy in Australia and I was impressed with some observations he had made as an commentator during the Australian 2003 series. He mentioned that it was the mind where battles are won or lost and that even a less talented fellow in the team can make a huge difference with his mental approach.
He suggested ingenious physo drills to achieve it, and seemed to fetch them out of his pocket for every new phase of the match. He seemed interested even in dull situations and saw opportunities in them to push for victory.
He also suggested proactive strategies lacked severely by the current team
--Especially for situations where it could have been implemented but are taken for granted as the natural recourse. He has a good foresight and was passionate enough in his discussions to stress his point time and again, expressing a genuine concern for the Indian team.
He was a bold and successful captain, a charismatic leader, and is a legendary batmen. But not one who would stress on his personal strengths as a strategy for success. He has an allround approach for the game and seems open to modern ideas. With this stature and personality, he can command respect and be a leader off the field.
A good bet for me!