Mahela Jayawardene quashes reports of applying for India coach, says 'flattered by speculation'

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New Delhi, June 26: Former Sri Lanka captain and legendary batsman Mahela Jayawardene has quashed the reports of applying for the post of India's head coach after Anil Kumble stepped down.

The legendary batsman from Sri Lanka, who is the head coach of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai Indians, said he was "flattered", he was not "looking at full-time positions right now".

He was named the coach of Bangladesh Premier League's (BPL) Khulna Titans for the next two seasons, following his success with the Mumbai Indians - which lifted this year's IPL title under him.

"Flattered by speculation linking me to India coaching job but I am not looking at full-time positions right now. I am completely focused on current commitments with MI and Khulna," tweeted Jayawardene.

The BCCI has extended the deadline for application of the next head coach till July 9. Sehwag, Moody along with former India manager Lalchand Rajput had submitted applications for the post of head coach after the BCCI invited applications.

Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag and former Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody were said to be the front runners for the reputed job but reports on Monday (June 26) claimed that Jayawardene has also shown his interest for the same.

The legendary Lankan batman's entry would have made the competition three-sided for he has had a glorious cricketing career. He has played 652 international matches for Sri Lanka and scored 25,957 runs. The 40-year-old has slammed 54 hundreds and 136 fifties in his illustrious career.

His success with Mumbai Indians in his maiden stint as the head coach would have been a reason for the rumours.

The BCCI's Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) - comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman - will sit together to select India's next coach before India's tour of Sri Lanka.

Earlier last week, Team India's head coach Kumble resigned from his post citing partnership with captain Virat Kohli became untenable.

OneIndia News