Gillespie considered India coaching job

Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie has revealed he "seriously considered" applying for the India coaching job now filled by Ravi Shastri.

And while the 42-year-old harbours ambitions to coach an international team, he has reservations about Sri Lanka's vacancy, noting they "haven't had a history of sticking with their coaches for too long".

Gillespie has built an impressive coaching CV since retiring from playing, steering English county powerhouse Yorkshire to consecutive County Championships titles and Big Bash League outfit Adelaide Strikers.

He was also due to take the reins as Australia A coach before their tour of South Africa was cancelled because of the ongoing pay dispute between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers' Association

Gillespie, who harbours ambitions to coach at international level, has taken charge of Papua New Guinea on an interim basis.

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Australia's Tom Moody and ex-India opener Virender Sehwag were other contenders for the India's top job after former coach Anil Kumble resigned due to his relationship with captain Virat Kohli becoming "untenable".

"I talked a lot about that with my family," Gillespie told cricket.com.au of his decision to not apply for India's head coaching role.

"I to'ed and fro'ed. I had days where I thought, 'right, I'm definitely applying for it, I'm going to have a crack and see how far I get'. 

"Other days where I wasn't so sure. In the end I just felt I wasn't quite ready for that opportunity. 

"I think it would have been a wonderful job and I congratulate Ravi Shastri on getting that job. 

"Maybe one day in a couple of years that'd be something I'd seriously consider."

Gillespie, who took 259 wickets in 71 Tests, has previously been touted as a contender to coach England after his success at Yorkshire.

He also said he would not entertain steering Sri Lanka, who are searching for a replacement for Graham Ford after he departed two years ahead of schedule.

Ford was originally appointed to guide the team through the 2019 World Cup in England, but left by mutual agreement after Sri Lanka failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy earlier this year.

"It'd be a wonderful job (coaching Sri Lanka), Gillespie said.

"Sri Lanka was one of my favourite places to tour as a player, I loved playing cricket there, I love the country, it'd be a fantastic job.

"But, and this is with all due respect, they haven't had a history of sticking with their coaches for too long so that would definitely be in the back of all coaches' minds. 

"The recent history over last five or so years, there's been a high turnover of coaches so that certainly would be in the back of coaches' minds – it'd be in the back of my mind."

Gillespie said India's decision to appoint Shastri did not necessarily mark a shift toward local coaches being the favoured option.

"You've always just got to have an approach to just select the best guy," he said.

"If it's a local guy, it's a local guy. If it's an international, then so be it. 

"You certainly don't want to get up in the politics of all that. All you can do as a coach is present your case on how you think you can make a difference and help the team perform better. 

"If you're the best man for the job, then you should get offered that opportunity. 

"Speaking as a coach, you only want to be judged on whether you think you can make a difference and help the side, and that's how it should be. We'll have to wait and see on what jobs come up in the future."