Justin Langer, the current head coach of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and former Australian opener, has expressed interest in becoming the next head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team. This comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that they are accepting applications for the role, with Rahul Dravid’s tenure set to end after the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in June.
Langer, who has previously served as Australia’s men’s cricket team coach for nearly four years, took the job in the aftermath of the Sandpaper Gate with the Australian team in turmoil. Despite Australia losing the home Test series to India twice during his tenure, Langer managed to guide the team to a 2021 T20 World Cup win and retain the Ashes on two separate occasions in 2019 and 2021.
Justin Langer on the prospect of becoming Indian Team Coach
In an interview with Times of India, Langer expressed his curiosity about the head coach position, stating that it would be an extraordinary role. He said, “Well, I am curious. I’ve never ever thought about it. I have deep respect for any international coach because I understand the pressure, but coaching the Indian team would be an extraordinary role. From what I’ve seen with the amount of talent I’ve seen in this country, it would be fascinating.’
Langer also highlighted the stark difference between the roles of a head coach and an assistant coach. He humorously remarked, “I went straight from playing to coaching – as an assistant coach, which is the best coach job in the world. You work about two hours a day, everyone’s your best friend, and you’ve got no accountability. Then you become head coach, oh man, then you work about 16 hours a day. No one likes you. And you’ve got 100% accountability!”
Justin Langer shows interest in BCCI Head Coach position!
Courtesy: TOI
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BCCI secretary Jay Shah clarified that there will be no split coaching duties and they are looking for a long-term coach for three years. He also added that Dravid would be eligible to re-apply for the post as his tenure wouldn’t be automatically extended. Shah stated, “We cannot determine whether the new coach will be Indian or foreign. It will be up to the CAC, and we are a global body.”
Justin Langer’s expressed interest in the Indian team’s head coach position has added an intriguing dimension to the ongoing speculation about who will succeed Rahul Dravid. His vast experience and proven track record make him a strong contender for the role. However, the final decision lies in the hands of the BCCI and the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC).
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