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I have no sensitive information on India: Chappell
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September 27, 2008 13:30 IST

Dismissing all rumuours about being a 'double agent', former India coach Greg Chappell [Images] declared that he does not possess any classified information about the Indian team, and even if he did would not hand it over to his new employer, Australia [Images].

Chappell, who stepped down as coach of the Indian team more than 18 months ago, is presently touring with Ricky Ponting's [Images] men as an assistant to coach Tim Nielsen.

His mere presence with the Aussies for the four-match Test series has flared up rumours that he would pass on vital information regarding the Indian outfit to Nielsen.

However, Chappell, who is also advisor with the Rajasthan Cricket Academy, rubbished such claims.

"To be quite honest we haven't discussed the Indian team. The Australians have played against India pretty regularly in recent times, I think they have got enough footage and personal experience with the Indian team to understand what they have to do," Chappell was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.

"I don't feel I have any sensitive information, and professionalism suggests there are certain things that are not available to the Australians. Anyway, there is nothing I know that they don't know," he added.

Using his influential contacts in the RCA, Chappell secured a precious extra week's preparation for the Aussies after the Champions Trophy [Images] was cancelled.

He also termed India as the 'Mecca of cricket' and said, "The fact of the matter is this is the centre of the universe as far as cricket is concerned.

"If you want to be involved in cricket, India is going to be a part of it. If it wasn't for India, cricket would be a very minor game; so let's embrace that and understand that and it will put everything into perspective."

The former Australia Test skipper said although there were some bitter episodes, his tenure with the Indian team was one of his memorable experiences.

"I've had the most wonderful experience in three years in India. Sure, there were parts of it that were turbulent, but we also had some very successful times. Much as Australia is going through a transition, India is going through a transition as well, and whenever you go through that there is pain," said Chappell.


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