Justin Langer Rejects India Head Coach Position Due to Politics
Justin Langer said that KL Rahul told him coaching team India involves a lot of pressure and politics.
Former Australian cricketer Justin Langer, fresh off his stint as head coach of the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2024, has revealed he declined an approach from the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) for the head coach position of the Indian national team.
Langer, speaking recently, stated that the Lucknow franchise captain KL Rahul warned him about the immense political landscape surrounding the Indian team’s head coach role, claiming it’s “1000 times more” intense compared to the IPL. This huge pressure and potential for off-field complications seem to have deterred Langer from pursuing the opportunity.
Here’s what Justin Langer told BBC Stumped:
“I was talking to KL Rahul and he told me ‘if you think there’s pressure and politics in an IPL team, multiply that by a thousand. That’s how the coaching Indian team is.”
It’s worth noting that Langer’s maiden IPL season as a head coach wasn’t particularly successful, with the Lucknow Super Giants finishing at seventh position with seven wins from 14 games.
BCCI Looking for Head Coach
The BCCI is currently seeking applications for the head coach role as Rahul Dravid’s tenure concludes after the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024. Dravid himself has reportedly shown no interest in reapplying for the position.
Langer’s decision opens the door for other strong contenders, with names like Ricky Ponting and Stephen Fleming also rumoured to be in the BCCI’s sights. It has also been reported that Gautam Gambhir is in contention as well.
