Former captain Rahul Dravid today emphatically ruled out the notion that he was interested in taking up the India coaching job after Duncan Fletcher’s departure.

“No, absolutely not. I am only looking at India-A and Under-19 appointment (as coach). I am not thinking about that (national coach’s post),” Dravid told reporters here when asked about his coaching aspirations.

Dravid was in Mumbai as a guest at the convocation of the International Institute of Sports Management along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The veteran cricketer emphasised that team director Ravi Shastri and the other support staff in Bangladesh were doing a great job.

“Ravi and his team are doing a fantastic job with India. I have no aspirations to go up to that level at the moment,” he insisted.

“It’s an important stage for any player - being part of India A, U-19 squads. I am very happy I have been given that job. There will be 2-3 series and I will share my experiences as a player with them,” he said.

He said his role as mentor of IPL team Rajasthan Royals over the last couple of years would stand him in good stead in his new assignment.

“Definitely. Having spent a couple of years as role of mentor after having spent many years as a player, I have been able to see things from the management and coaching side. The more you do it, the better you become. I am looking forward to it,” said Dravid.
(PTI)