Jay Shah denies approaching Ricky Ponting for coaching role

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah has officially debunked rumors linking them with former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting for the head coach position of the Indian cricket team. 

Jay Shah issued a statement emphasizing the prestigious nature of the role and the board's commitment to nurturing Indian cricket talent.

He emphasized that the BCCI is on the lookout for a candidate with a profound understanding of the Indian cricket structure and significant experience within the domestic system. 

The statement firmly denies any approach made towards Australian coaches and underscores the meticulous selection process aimed at identifying a coach capable of taking Indian cricket to new heights.

“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. 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.” Shah said.

“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 added.

Recently, former Australian legend Ricky Ponting disclosed that he was approached to replace Rahul Dravid as India's head coach. 

"I've seen a lot of reports about it,” Ponting told the ICC. “Normally these things pop up on social media before you even know about them, but there were a few little one-on-one conversations during the IPL, just to get a level of interest from me as to whether I would do it.

"I'd love to be a senior coach of a national team, but with the other things that I have in my life and wanting to have a bit of time at home…everyone knows if you take a job working with the Indian team you can't be involved in an IPL team, so it would take that out of it as well.