Former Australian cricketer Justin Langer was among the top contenders for the position of India’s next head coach. With Rahul Dravid’s contract set to expire after the upcoming T20 World Cup, the BCCI was reportedly exploring multiple options for his replacement. However, Langer has decided to withdraw from consideration, citing the demanding nature of the role. During his tenure with Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2024, Langer discussed the position with KL Rahul, who highlighted the immense ‘politics and pressure’ associated with being the head coach of the Indian cricket team, describing it as almost ‘a thousand times’ more intense than coaching an IPL team.
“I understand that it’s an all-encompassing role, and having experienced it for four years with the Australian team, it’s exhausting,” Langer shared on BBC Stumped.
“I spoke with KL Rahul, and he mentioned, ‘If you think there’s pressure and politics in an IPL team, multiply that by a thousand, and that’s what coaching India is like.’ That was valuable advice.”
Similarly, Langer’s former teammate Ricky Ponting also indicated his reluctance to pursue the position.
“I’ve seen numerous reports about it,” Ponting stated in an ICC Review interview. “Usually, these things surface on social media before you even hear about them. There were a few private conversations during the IPL to gauge my interest in the role.”
“I would love to be a senior coach of a national team, but considering my current commitments and desire for personal time, it’s not feasible. Everyone knows that if you take on the job with the Indian team, you cannot be involved with an IPL team, which would also eliminate that aspect,” he explained.
“Additionally, being a national head coach is a ten- or eleven-month-a-year job. Although I would like to do it, it doesn’t align with my current lifestyle and other pursuits,” Ponting concluded.
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