It's mere speculation, says Greg Chappell

Legendary Australian batsman Greg Chappell has played a dead bat to suggestions that he is interested in coaching India's national team. Chappell last night declined to make any statement to local media in Perth when pressed to comment on speculation linking him to the job recently made vacant by the resignation of Kapil Dev.

According to reports emanating from the sub-continent in recent days, Chappell has emerged as one of two candidates short listed for the position by Indian cricket's controlling body, the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI). Along with former New Zealand opener John Wright, the former Australian captain was also rumoured to have accepted an offer to travel to India later this week to take part in the BCCI's closing round of interviews.

Through a media spokesperson, Chappell stated that he had no comment to make and that such stories were merely speculative at this stage. He had earlier watched South Australia's state team - the side he presently coaches - suffer a nail biting three run loss to Western Australia at Perth's WACA Ground.

Reports from India have it that Chappell and Wright are to land in Chennai on Sunday night to be interviewed the following day by a five member panel for the post of national coach.