Ever since Dav Whatmore announced his intention to part ways with Bangladesh, rumour mills have been projecting the Australian as the next Indian coach. The brief discussion that took place few days back between Whatmore and the visiting Board of Control for Cricket in India officials in Chittagong has only strengthened the buzz.
In an interaction with Indian journalists on Sunday, Whatmore termed reports that he had been offered a post with India as mere speculation. It has beee reported that the 53-year-old has been offered a one-year contract by the Indian Board, which could be extended for two more years.

Showing interest
"I am not India's coach, it is mere speculation,” Whatmore emphasised. “I have had discussions with BCCI officials where I told them I was interested in the job, but that's all there is to it. I have not heard from them since."
A seven-man BCCI committee, including three former captains, will pick the new coach in a meeting in Bangalore on June 4. The search for a new coach has been necessitated by Greg Chappell opting not to seek an extension after India's first-round exit from the World Cup.
Former Indian all-rounder Ravi Shastri was appointed cricket manager for the tour of Bangladesh. Shastri is also one of the members in the coach selection committee.

New challenge
Whatmore said he would accept the job of the Indian coach, if offered, as it would be a new challenge for him. "It will be a logical extension to bigger challenges. It will help accumulate more knowledge of the game I love so much. I was with Bangladesh for four years and they wanted me to continue. But a coach has a shelf life. One needs a different challenge after a few years. I need to move on."
Whatmore said coaching teams from the sub-continent is a vastly different challenge from doing the job with England or Australia.
"One has to understand that the culture here is fundamentally different," he said. "The key is effective communication. You have to understand the subtle differences that exist here.
“What will never change is the fact that players make a coach. As a coach, one can only guide and create a happy environment. What works well for one does not necessarily work for others. The players go out there and bat, bowl and take catches. They go to the battlefield. The coach just has to make sure they get all the help. Also, the captain is the boss but others around him have their own responsibility," he said.
About the presence of superstars in a team, Whatmore said, "I am leaving Bangladesh, but the doors are always open. When I go to India, it will not be with eyes shut. I am aware of what happened during Greg's stint. A team must have superstars; we need them to motivate the youngsters."

No aping Aussies
Whatmore also said there was no need to blindly imitate the Australian system just because of their overwhelming success. "I appreciate the Australian system. But you don't have to adopt their system. The fabric of cricket will not change by adopting the system. You can tweak it a little, but you can't change the style."