Madan Lal 'interested' in India coach job only if offered

New Delhi, May 29 (UNI) Former India all-rounder Madan Lal says he is interested in taking up India coach's job but would take up the assignment only if offered by BCCI.

''I am qualified person to coach India and had earlier experience also. I am interested but only if offered the job by BCCI,'' Madan Lal told UNI today.

A BCCI-appointed seven-member committee, headed by its President Sharad Pawar, will meet in Bangalore on June 4 to pick the new coach.

The panel includes three former captains in Sunil Gavaskar, S Venkataraghavan and Ravi Shastri.

Madan, who coached India in 1996-97, said he was in no way throwing his hat in the ring but given an offer he would be happy to take up the challenge.

''Many names are doing the rounds including former India cricketers and if you ask them they would say they are interested.

So, if somebody ask me if I am interested in I would say yes,'' he said.

He also said he will not approach the BCCI or anybody but take up the job if offer comes from the seven-member committee.

''Approaching is a different thing, I won't do that. If Gavaskar, Shastri and others think I am the right person, I will be happy to take up the job,'' he said.

Outgoing Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore has repeatedly expressed his interest in the high-profile job, calling it a ''logical extension to a bigger challenge.'' Whatmore is also widely speculated to get the job after BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah recently met him during the Bangladesh series.

Tour manager Shastri too had an informal meeting with the Sri Lanka-born Australian, whose contract with the Bangladesh team expired with the series against India.

UNI