The BCCI have invited applications for India’s next head coach as Rahul Dravid’s tenure is set to end after the T20 World Cup in June this year. Speaking to the ICC, Ponting, the current head coach of IPL franchise Delhi Capitals, revealed that he had turned down the offer for the position because “it did not fit into his lifestyle right now”.

Ponting is not the only Australian to publicly rule themselves out of contention with his former Australian teammate, Langer, who is in charge of the Lucknow Super Giants, saying that coaching India “would be an amazing job”, but ruled himself out of contention following a conversation with KL Rahul on the politics involved with the role.

In a statement released on Friday (May 24), Shah denied claims of BCCI making a “coaching offer” to either of the Australian pair: “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. It’s crucial that our coach has an in-depth knowledge of our domestic cricket framework to truly elevate Team India to the next level,” he said.

“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 support that is truly unrivalled. Our rich history, passion for the game make this one of the most lucrative jobs in the world,” Shah added. “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 honour and the BCCI will pick the right candidate, capable of propelling Indian cricket forward.”

The BCCI has announced the deadline to apply for the position is May 28. Several other names, including the likes of Stephen Fleming and Gautam Gambhir, are reportedly in the race too.