Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar [Images] has turned down the opportunity to become coach of the Indian team.

With John Wright [Images] expressing his unwillingness to continue as coach of Team India, speculation was rife that Gavaskar has been offered the job.
 
The Board of Control for Cricket in India officials sounded off Gavaskar for the job, but he refused citing personal reasons.

According to sources in the BCCI, Gavaskar instead suggested that Wright be persuaded to stay on for some more time.

"Alternatively, he suggested that captain Sourav Ganguly [Images] and other senior members of the team be consulted before a new coach is appointed because it's the boys who have to get on with the new appointee," the source said.

Gavaskar was the batting consultant for Indian team during the recent series against Australia and South Africa. He was to be offered the same responsibility against the ongoing series against Pakistan, but he pleaded his unavailability.

"Gavaskar was a natural choice for coach, but now that he has refused, the Board has to think hard because Wright appears to be leaving at the end of the Pakistan series," said the BCCI source.