As Rahul Dravid’s tenure as the leader draws to a close in June, the BCCI has initiated the search for the esteemed India head coach position. One notable contender was Justin Langer, the current helm of the Lucknow IPL franchise. However, Langer has opted out of the race, surprising many. Thus, the lingering inquiry persists: who will emerge as the next individual to guide India’s cricketing endeavor?
The Board of Control for Cricket in India is currently looking and accepting applications for the position of India’s next head coach as Rahul Dravid’s term is about to end in June after the T20 World Cup ends. Several prominent figures in cricket, both from India and abroad, have been mentioned as possible candidates. A few individuals have already publicly stated their unavailability for the role.
Langer, who led the Australian national team from 2018 to 2022, joined the LSG franchise before IPL 2024. He was one of the candidates being looked at as a potential replacement for Rahul Dravid.
What made Langer say NO to this exciting opportunity
As revealed in the BBC stumped podcast, justin langer was seen talking about his experience in India and also about the coaching opportunities and feel while he was coaching Lsg(Lucknow super giants)
Langer shared that the reason he stepped down from the opportunity and not considering the job is a conversation he had with the LSG skipper KL Rahul. He further stated the good piece of advice from the LSG captain that he told him-
“You never say never. And the pressure of doing it in India… I was talking to KL Rahul [the captain at Lucknow Super Giants, where Langer is the head coach] and he said, ‘You know, if you think there’s pressure and politics in an IPL team, multiply that by a thousand, [that’s] coaching India. That was a good bit of advice, I guess,” Langer shared.”
“It would be an amazing job, (but) I have (to put myself out of contention). I also know that it’s an all-encompassing role, and having done it for four years with the Australian team, honestly, it’s exhausting. And that’s the Australian job,” he added.
Langer Steps off for India, But Who’s Next?
Justin Langer, a frontrunner for India’s head coach position, has surprised everyone by pulling out of the race. With Rahul Dravid’s tenure ending after the T20 World Cup, the BCCI was scouting replacements and approached Justin Langer to do the job but he Steps Away from India Coaching Contest, Citing ‘politics and pressure’. He also hinted at KL Rahul’s advice, suggesting the pressure and political landscape surrounding the Indian head coach role dwarfs that of the IPL.
Ricky Ponting, who was approached for the same position, declined the offer citing the demanding nature of the job. He confessed that it didn’t align with his current priorities and lifestyle. Despite his excitement for coaching the “Men in Blue,” Ponting opted out due to these factors.
With Justin Langer being now rolled out of the Indian Head coach list, the eyes are on the other coaches and players from the domestic and international sides and it would be interesting to note who heads down as the new Indian Head coach position for India. Would it be the all-new coaching inspiration of KKR Gautam Gambhir or would it be one of these super coaches like Stephan Fleming, Ricky Ponting, etc?
