The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has kickstarted the search for the next head coach of the senior national men’s team. With Rahul Dravid‘s tenure set to conclude in June 2024, the board is actively soliciting applications for the role, which is expected to span approximately three years. Following recent remarks by BCCI secretary Jay Shah indicating a willingness to consider overseas candidates, speculation has swirled regarding potential successors.

Key candidates for the India’s head coach job

Amid the mix of names floated, Justin Langer stands out prominently. Langer, who most recently guided the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, boasts significant coaching experience, having previously guided the Australian national team for a four-year stint. His tenure saw Australia navigate through turbulent times post-Sandpaper Gate, reclaiming the Ashes and clinching the T20 World Cup 2021. Alongside Langer, notable contenders such as Gautam Gambhir, Ricky Ponting and Stephen Fleming have also surfaced in discussions.

Also READ: Aussie legend Ricky Ponting reveals reason behind turning down the offer of becoming Team India’s head coach

Justin Langer’s stance

Despite being touted as a potential candidate, Langer recently addressed speculation regarding his interest in coaching the Indian cricket team. During an appearance on BBC’s Stumped podcast, Langer revealed his reluctance to undertake such a pivotal responsibility at present. However, his subsequent comments sparked controversy within the cricketing fraternity.

“It would be an amazing job, (but) I have (ruled myself out). 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,” Langer said.

KL Rahul’s advice

Langer also recounted a conversation with KL Rahul, captain of the LSG, shedding light on the challenges associated with coaching the Indian team. Rahul, according to Langer, emphasized the immense pressure and political intricacies inherent in the role, surpassing even the demands of the IPL. These insights from Rahul provided a sobering perspective on the realities of the Indian coaching role, prompting introspection on Langer’s part.

“You never say never. And the pressure of doing it in India… I was talking to KL Rahul, 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. It would be an awesome job, but not for me at the moment,” Langer concluded.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

This is damning.

Langer says KL Rahul told him Indian coach has to face pressure and politics thousand times more than in the IPL.
Did KL tell him this? Why does KL feel so? Should Langer have attributed this statement to KL?

Shocking beyond belief https://t.co/m0CzVRDNcF

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) May 23, 2024

I’m afraid Kl Rahul might face the heat for just being honest! Langer thought it was Cricket Australia and players could talk about things without bothering much about the consequences, little does he know about the great BCCI!

— Mohsin Kamal (@64MohsinKamal) May 23, 2024

KL Rahul might regret even talking to him 😭 pic.twitter.com/Y8uomiqABW

— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) May 23, 2024

KL Rahul bro must be enjoying his dinner in peace with family, and then suddenly the phone starts ringing coz Justin Langer just simply couldn’t say no to an opportunity without getting KL dragged. 😭🙏

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) May 23, 2024

KL Rahul talking about politics in team India. No coach willing to take the job.

Then there was MS Dhoni who completed his tenure without any controversy and won 3 ICC trophies. pic.twitter.com/o9fhXGgYsP

— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu) May 23, 2024

IF KL Rahul actually told him this and Justin Langer has come out in public with it as a reason, no wonder Pat Cummins and Co wanted him out of the dressing room. True or not, what a silly thing to blurt out. KL Rahul’s luck though. pic.twitter.com/6mx3dLbhcR

— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) May 23, 2024

Another Controversy 🗿 !#KLRahul pic.twitter.com/e5vARu1fg8

— Vinith (@Vinith1031) May 24, 2024

KL Rahul told it in person behind the closed doors, you shouldn’t have revealed it to the world Justin 🤦

— Karnataka Weather (@Bnglrweatherman) May 23, 2024

Sources claim Justin Langer is working on behalf of Sanjiv Goenka. After KL Rahul’s spat with the LSG owner, public sympathy grew for Rahul.

To put him in trouble, Langer dragged him into the BCCI coach offer decline. Goenka’s intention was to make Rahul look like a villain to… pic.twitter.com/6MnrvFIoMu

— Sann (@san_x_m) May 23, 2024

This is a serious statement that could jeopardize KL Rahul’s future in the Indian team. It’s fine for Justin Langer, but airing private conversations publicly is senseless. Langer shouldn’t disclose private talks from a captain. If an Australian coach becomes India’s coach, they… pic.twitter.com/3jyxR0ViDf

— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952_) May 24, 2024

ESPNcricinfo reported Justin Langer’s statement, attributing KL Rahul to pressure and politics in the Indian cricket team. It is an open secret; don’t know why people are surprised and shocked at the statement. pic.twitter.com/UXknApXbLD

— Ganpat Teli (@gateposts_) May 23, 2024

Also READ: Zimbabwe legend Andy Flower shares his thoughts on India’s head coach role

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