Australia cricket great doesn't rule himself out of national role but says he would have to find time in his busy schedule
Warne open to India coaching role
The announcement of India's next head coach is set to be just weeks away and former Australia spinner Shane Warne says he would love to work with the Indian side.
The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) - an advisory group to the BCCI comprised of legends Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly - has been tasked with selecting India's next coach and are likely to meet in the coming weeks.
India haven't had a head coach since Duncan Fletcher's contract expired following the 50-over World Cup last year, with team director Ravi Shastri taking a senior role among the backroom staff.
While Shastri is one of the favourites to take over as head coach, Warne says he would never say never to a coaching role with the Indian team.
"I would love to work with the Indian team," the 46-year-old said at a Monarch Cruise event with Tendulkar and Brett Lee. "They are a very talented, wonderful team to work for.
Image Id: ~/media/B4D4E0D7F7044E57AD62103446AE0FAF Image Caption: Ganguly, Laxman and Tendulkar will meet shortly // Getty Images"There’s a lot of pressure (working with them). There are about a billion-plus people supporting the Indian cricket team. If you make a mistake you cop it. I have copped it plenty of times on many different things.
"I’ve never said never in my life to anything. I’ve always been open to anything so when it comes to coaching India, coaching an IPL (Indian Premier League) team - coaching England, maybe not,” he added.
While Warne said he would not immediately turn down a coaching role, he admitted something would have to give in his busy schedule.
Warne will this year continue to juggle commentary duties around the world, playing poker, sponsorship work as well as the Cricket All Stars concept that he started last year with Tendulkar.
"So after all this there’s not many days left," Warne said. "If I’m to put myself in the ring to coach India or any other team, it means other things will be left out.
"(If) an opportunity presents itself, I will always weigh it up.
"If you can’t give your 100 per cent to whatever it may be you (are) better off saying no.
Image Id: ~/media/BA178B90A7E242E1A65003048AFA1391 Image Caption: Ravi Shastri's contract as India's Team Director expired after the WT20 exit // Getty"But if that opportunity came … what I like to do is everything else stops and you take up that opportunity, whatever it may be."
Shastri's contract as Team Director expired following India's exit from the ICC World T20 and BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur says the role of Team Director would be discontinued.
But Thakur added Shastri could continue with the side in the role of Head Coach.
"It will be only one post (available) and even Ravi's contract can come up for renewal," Thakur told PTI. "It will be the post of a full-time coach.
"CAC has been asked to shortlist the names of the possible candidates for the post. The meeting of the CAC is expected to happen post April 3.
"It can happen before the start of the IPL also. We will have to decide on the date."