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- 'I don't think BCCI will find many better candidates than someone like him. If he's interested in doing the job, he will do a good job.'
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting on Monday backed Rahul Dravid as one of the best candidates to coach the Indian cricket team.
"It's not my decision to make and it depends on what the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) are looking for. Do they want an Indian coach or an overseas one? I don't think BCCI will find many better candidates than someone like him. If he's interested in doing the job, he will do a good job," said Ponting in Mumbai.
"He has got a lot of knowledge, is very experienced and understands all three formats because he has worked in IPL. He will be a great candidate but it depends on what the BCCI thinks is the best fit for the Indian cricket team and also depends on what the captain wants. Whatever Virat (Kohli) wants around the Test team, I am sure the BCCI will listen to him."
Ponting does not want that any Ashes Test be played as a day-night affair because of the tradition attached to the iconic England-Australia Test rubber.
"I am very much a traditionalist as far as Test cricket is concerned and about changing the fabric of the Test match game. In certain countries game of Test cricket needs revitalisation. (But) I don't want an Ashes Test to be played as a day nighter just because of the traditional side to an Ashes series.
"In the game played at Adelaide (Australia vs New Zealand) early this year the crowds were huge, the TV audience was huge. With the right time and the right place I can see it will have a place, but not necessarily one or two day-night Test matches in Australia every summer," Ponting explained.
The retired cricketer said with the BCCI also showing interest to host a few day-night Test matches in the coming season, he is keen to see how it pans out.
"I understand India are also interested in playing day-night Test. It will be interesting to see how that goes. Probably Test match cricket in India needs some kicking as well. I understand how many Test matches are coming their way in the next 12-18 months."
India are set to play thirteen home Test matches, against Bangladesh, New Zealand, England and Australia, in the 2016-17 cricket season.
Interestingly, the decision to appoint India's next coach will be taken by BCCI's advisory committee, comprising Dravid's former team mates Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman.
Dravid is currently the mentor of the IPL franchise Delhi Daredevils, while earlier this year he coached the India Under-19 team to the World Cup final where they were beaten by West Indies in the title clash.