Gillespie ready to be India's bowling consultant

Photo: AFP

New Delhi: At a time when BCCI is yet to take a final call on the support staff of Team India, former Australia pacer Jason Gillespie, whose name is also doing the rounds, admitted he is seriously considering the role of India’s bowling consultant.

"I think it would have been a wonderful job and I congratulate Ravi Shastri on getting that job, maybe one day in a couple of years that'd be something I'd seriously consider," Gillespie was quoted saying cricket.com.au.

On Tuesday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the appointment of the former Indian all-rounder Ravi Shastri as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team. India fast bowler Zaheer Khan was named the bowling consultant and former star batsman Rahul Dravid was given the role of overseas batting consultant. 

However, BCCI later on clarified that Zaheer will be available only for 100 days and on specific tours. Therefore, the likes of Gillespie can rightfully harbour hopes of bagging the consultant’s role when India tours South Africa and England. 

Sources in the BCCI confirmed that Gillespie’s name is being discussed and in future he can be given the role of India’s bowling consultant just like Zaheer.

The 42-year-old Australian pacer also confessed he was confused whether to apply for the post, which kept him away from the role.

"I talked a lot about that with my family, I had days where I thought, right, I'm definitely applying for it, I'm going to have a crack and see how far I get." 

"Other days where I wasn't so sure. In the end, I just felt I wasn't quite ready for that opportunity," Gillespie said. 

Gillespie has been appointed as the interim coach of Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The right-arm pacer had taken 259 Test wickets in 71 matches and 142 wickets in 97 One-Day International (ODI) matches in his international career from 1996 to 2006