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Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly is open to coach the team, but has clearly stated that he has no plans of joining politics.

Former skipper Sourav Ganguly has categorically ruled out entering politics, but says he is not averse to coaching the Indian team. Ganguly will turn 53 this July, and was the Team Director of Delhi Capitals between 2018-19 and 2022-24.

“I never really thought about it because I got into different roles,” Ganguly told PTI in a free-wheeling podcast interview when asked if he would like to coach the Indian team.

“I finished (competitive cricket) in 2013 and then became Board (BCCI) President,” said Ganguly, noting that his biggest contribution to Indian cricket in that role was to promote women’s cricket.

When suggested that he could have contributed more by becoming India coach, Ganguly said: “We’ll see what the future holds. I’m just 50 (53), so let’s see what happens. I’m open to it. We’ll see where it goes,” the veteran cricket.

One thing he is not getting into is politics.

Asked if he would like to join a political party ahead of West Bengal assembly elections in 2026, Ganguly said with a smile: “I am not interested.”

What if he is promised the state chief minister’s post? “I am not interested,” he repeated.

Ganguly was all praise for incumbent coach Gautam Gambhir, who he feels, has picked up pace as coach since Champions Trophy victory in Dubai earlier this year.

“Gautam (Gambhir) is doing a good job. He started off a little slow, losing to Australia and New Zealand, but he picked up with the Champions Trophy. This is going to be a big series (vs England),” Ganguly said.

Indian team is currently facing England for a five-match Test series, with the first match being played at Headingley, Leeds.
Indian squad:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kl Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (W), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Sharadul Takur, Abhimanyu Easwan, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana.

England squad:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(w), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir, Jamie Overton, Samuel James Cook, Jacob Bethell.