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Ganguly rubbishes India coach rumours: 'Don't jump the gun!'

April 16, 2015 20:32 IST

Sourav Ganguly speaks to fans as Shane Watson looks on. Photograph: Bobby Yip/Reuters

Former skipper Sourav Ganguly preferred to remain tight-lipped about whether he is a possible contender for the job of India coach, saying "let's not speculate".

His reaction came after reports emerged that he is in the race to become the new coach of the Indian cricket team and had an informal talk with new Board of Control for Cricket in India president Jagmohan Dalmiya about his interest to replace Duncan Fletcher, whose tenure ended after the World Cup.

"I am hearing this for the first time," was Ganguly's reaction, when asked whether he is in the fray to be the next coach.

"I don't want to say anything on this. Let's not speculate. Don't jump the gun," he added.

According to a newspaper report, a Cricket Association of Bengal official said Ganguly expressed willingness to become the new coach to Dalmiya. 

The former cricketer-turned-administrator rejected the development. Asked whether he had a word with Dalmiya on this front, Ganguly replied: "No, who says all this?

"They (BCCI) haven't spoken to anyone and neither I have spoken to them. That's the truth and let's stick to that."

"I meet him (Dalmiya) everyday because of CAB. He is the president and I am the joint-secretary of CAB."

The report also stated that a section of the BCCI wants Rahul Dravid, another former captain, to be the next coach.

Ganguly said both he and Dravid have the capabilities to do the job.

"Both can be (good coaches). Rahul was a great player," he said.

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