Neither I nor the BCCI approached any former Australian cricketer for India head coach role: Jay Shah

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah has firmly denied that the claim that the board has approached any former Australian cricketers for the high-profile role of India's head coach.

The clarification comes after recent claims by Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting that they had been informed about the coaching role. Earlier this week, Langer, currently the head coach of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL, revealed that he had turned down an opportunity to coach the Indian team after being approached, though he did not specify by whom. 

Similarly, Ponting, currently the head coach of the Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL, stated that he had held discussions about taking over as India's head coach but decided against it due to lifestyle reasons.

Shah rejected the reports and stated that all such speculations are incorrect and shouldn't be believed.

“Neither I nor the BCCI have approached any former Australian cricketer with a coaching offer. The reports circulating in certain media sections are completely incorrect. Finding the right coach for our national team is a meticulous and thorough process. We are focused on identifying individuals who possess a deep understanding of the Indian cricket structure and have risen through the ranks. Our coach must have an in-depth knowledge of our domestic cricket framework to truly elevate Team India to the next level," he said in a statement.

Also read: Jay Shah lays foundation stone for BCCI's state-of-the-art indoor training facilities in North East

No role is more prestigious than that of the Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team: Jay Shah

He further highlighted the prestigious nature of the India head coach role, and how it takes an extensive process to select the same as the team has a global fan following.

“When we talk about international cricket, no role is more prestigious than that of the Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team. Team India commands the largest fan base globally, enjoying truly unrivaled support. Our rich history and passion for the game make this one of the most lucrative jobs in the world," he added.

Also read: Justin Langer opts out of race for head coach of Team India

"The role demands a high level of professionalism as one gets to nurture some of the best cricketers in the world and an assembly line of talented cricketers to follow. Catering to the aspirations of a billion fans is a huge honor and the BCCI will pick the right candidate, capable of propelling Indian cricket forward,” he concluded.

Current head coach Rahul Dravid's tenure will end after the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and USA. Dravid also revealed that he would not be reapplying for the high-profile role.