However, despite some brief conversations with the BCCI in recent weeks, Ponting won’t be stepping in to replace Rahul Dravid after the upcoming T20 World Cup, with the current mentor unlikely to continue after the tournament.

“There were a few little one-on-one conversations during the IPL, just to get a level of interest from me as to whether I would do it,” he said.

“I’d love to be a senior coach of a national team, but with the other things that I have in my life and wanting to have a bit of time at home [it was too hard].

“My family and my kids have spent the last five weeks over at the IPL with me and they come over every year and I had a whisper to my son about it, and I said, ‘Dad’s been offered the Indian coaching job’ and he said, ‘Just take it Dad, we would love to move over there for the next couple of years’.

“That’s how much they love being over there and the culture of cricket in India, but right now it probably doesn’t exactly fit into my lifestyle.”

Ponting also cited the potential position would rule him out of coaching in the IPL – a job he has cherished since 2018 – as part of his decision not to pursue the opportunity. 

Several other high-profile coaches, including fellow Australian Justin Langer and New Zealand’s Stephen Fleming, have been linked with the soon-to-be vacant position.

Gautam Gambhir is also in the race to replace former teammate Dravid after a successful IPL campaign with the Kolkata Knight Riders.