Waugh excuses himself from race

Former Australia captain Steve Waugh has shrugged off claims that he is in running for the job of India's coach, saying that he had too much on hand to take up the assignment.

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Australia's leading newspaper The Herald Sun has quoted his manager Robert Joske, as saying, "Right now, Steve has so much on the go and it's simply not the right timing."

Waugh is still working on his autobiography, which will be published later this year, and is involved with charity work for Udayan in Kolkata.

"Steve is putting a lot of his energies into this book, which is basically the life and times of one of this country's finest sporting champions," Joske told the newspaper.

While Waugh has withdrawn from the race, three Australians—Dean Jones, Greg Chappell and Tom Moody—are in contention for the job. The number of candidates is steadily increasing, with Dav Whatmore and Geoff Marsh also being discussed, as the BCCI is dragging its legs over the issue.

John Wright had quit from the position immediately after the series against Pakistan.