NEW DELHI – Australian spin legend Shane Warne on Wednesday denied media reports that he was interested in coaching World Cup champions India.
“Just got told on bus – apparently I put my hand up to coach India. Wow – first I have heard of it – Sorry to disappoint but never said that!!!” Warne tweeted.
Leg-spinner Warne, 41, is in the country to take part in the Indian Premier League where he leads the Rajasthan Royals franchise in the lucrative Twenty20 competition, starting on Friday.
Local media reports earlier Wednesday said Warne had shown interest in the job.
“It is a very difficult job to be India coach, it is never easy,” Warne was quoted as saying in the Mail Today newspaper.
“But with India doing so well, it is a lot easier to take over right now than it has been in the past. I’ll enjoy working with the Indian cricket team for sure.”
India are without a coach after former South African batsman Gary Kirsten stepped down following the World Cup victory in Mumbai last week.
Warne said Kirsten had set high standards during a successful three-year stint with Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s team.
“Kirsten is a quality person and it would be hard to find a replacement for him. Under him, the Indian team has reached the number one spot in Tests and won the World Cup,” said Warne. “He is a fantastic coach.”
Warne, who quit international cricket in 2007 with 708 wickets in Tests and 293 in one-dayers, excelled in a duel role as captain and coach guiding the Rajasthan Royals to a surprise title in the inaugural IPL edition in 2008.
