Sourav Ganguly refutes rumours linking him to India's coaching job
Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has quashed growing rumours that he could replace Duncan Fletcher as India’s head coach. A leading newspaper daily carried a report yesterday where a source close to the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) had revealed that Ganguly has expressed his interest in taking Indian cricket’s top job, but the former left-handed batsman denied this being the case and said that he is unaware of any such speculation.
"I am hearing this for the first time," Ganguly said, when asked whether he was in contention for the top job.
"I don't want to say anything on this. Let's not speculate. Don't jump the gun," he said.
Ganguly, who is the chief secretary of the CAB, has been in regular touch with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief Jagmohan Dalmiya in recent days. But the 42-year-old clarified that his interactions with Dalmiya, who also heads the CAB, are limited to matters involving Bengal cricket.
"I meet him (Dalmiya) everyday because of CAB. He is the president and I am the joint secretary of CAB," he said.
"They (BCCI) haven't spoken to anyone and neither I have spoken to them. That's the truth and let's stick to that."
BCCI hasn’t yet made a decision on the next Indian coach: Dalmiya
Dalmiya, himself, stated that the BCCI hasn’t made any decision yet regarding the next coach of the Men in Blue but added that a decision will be made in the near future.
"We have not made any decision, there has been nothing yet that is of significance. But we will take a decision very soon," Dalmiya informed.
Meanwhile, Rahul Dravid is another prominent name who has been linked to the job, with some sections of the BCCI reportedly keen on recruiting the current mentor of Rajasthan Royals (RR).
When Ganguly was asked his opinion on whether he or Dravid would be the better coach, he said: "Both can be, Rahul has been a great batsman."