Sourav Ganguly keeps mum on India coach's job

NEW DELHI: Former skipper Sourav Ganguly today preferred to remain tightlipped on whether he is a possible contender for next coach of the Indian cricket team, saying "let's not speculate".

Ganguly's reaction came after reports emerged that he is in the race to become the new Indian cricket team coach and has put in an informal word to the new BCCI 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 about 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 (CAB) official said that Ganguly has expressed his willingness to become the coach to new BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya.

But the former cricketer-turned-administrator has rejected the development.

Asked whether he had a word with Dalmiya on this front, Ganguly said: "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," he said.

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

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

And 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.