New Delhi: After Ricky Ponting made it clear that he has no intention to apply for the post of India’s head coach, his former teammate Justin Langer also ruled out the possibility of him taking charge of coaching responsibilities for the national side. In a podcast with the BBC, Langer remarked “It would be an amazing job, [but] I have [put myself out of contention].”
Justin Langer rules himself out of the running for the India head coach job ❌ https://t.co/BaVbVP20eq pic.twitter.com/crFMcDJWw9
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 23, 2024
Before Langer, Ricky Ponting was also approached for the post of the head coach of the Indian National team. Ponting mentioned that being the head coach of a national team is a very exhausting job for him. On the other hand, CSK CEO Kasi Vishwanath has also made it clear that Stephen Fleming who currently serves as the team’s head coach is not interested in taking up the job. Naturally, the hunt for BCCI continues as two potential candidates have put up their hands.
Justin Langer pic.twitter.com/0LDAWeD7sN
— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) May 24, 2024
“Having done it for four years…it’s exhausting…”: Justin Langer
Langer like Ponting has made himself unavailable for the job as it requires a lot of commitment and it comes with a lot of exhaustion. “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…”
*KL Rahul tells a secret about BCCI to Justin Langer*
Justin Langer the very next day : pic.twitter.com/mmnQhQy1Wd— Sai Teja (@csaitheja) May 24, 2024
Justin Langer last held the position of the IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants where he failed to take his side through to the playoffs. It was reported that Langer even had a word with the LSG skipper KL Rahul before taking up the job. Rahul said, “You know, if you think there’s pressure and politics in an IPL team, multiply that by a thousand, [that’s] coaching India…”
Justin Langer said, “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”. (BBC Stumps. pic.twitter.com/owqEhTK4fx
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 23, 2024
Langer would have been a like-for-like replacement for Dravid given the fact the left-hander was at the helm of the national team for his country. He had taken over the coaching responsibilities immediately after the 2018 ball-tampering case. Langer took on coaching responsibilities for Australia at a tumultuous time and has led the side well. However, the 53-year-old batsman feels the “Indian Challenge” is far from what he had to face in Australia.
