Australia’s former opener, Justin Langer, head coach of the Lucknow Super Giants, is “curious” about joining the Indian cricket squad. After the Twenty20 World Cup, the position will become vacant when current coach Rahul Dravid’s term ends. The identical post was advertised by the BCCI on Monday night.
After being asked by rummy all app if he would like to apply for the job, Langer said, “Well, I am curious.” Never once have I thought about it. I have the highest regard for those in such a position, even if I am aware of the challenges experienced by international coaches. It would be a huge responsibility, though, to captain the Indian squad. Based on what I’ve seen about the kind of talent in this country, I think it would be interesting,” he said.
Ahead of this, BCCI secretary Jay Shah made it clear that Dravid wanted to continue leading the Indian team. Shah said Dravid would have to apply and go through the selection process like any other applicant. Still, that doesn’t seem likely. Dravid was already in no mood to stay on when his contract ended after the ODI World Cup last year. He was given an extension along with his whole support squad because the T20 World Cup was only seven or eight months away.
The idea of hiring a foreign coach was also proposed by Shah. The final outside trainer to instruct Indian cricket players was Duncan Fletcher. Since his departure in 2014, India has had three full-time head coaches: famed former players from the nation, Anil Kumble, Ravi Shastri, and Rahul Dravid.
As the head coach of India, Langer is a great selection.
I’d be curious to know whether they go back to an international coach after almost a decade. If the trio of dafabet, Sulakshana Naik, and Jatin Paranjape—the Cricket Advisory Committee—decides to take that route, Langer could be the best option.
A legacy of sorts is left by Langer, who has a 105 Test record and averages 45 runs scored each game. Plus, he’s been the successful coach of the Australian team for more than four years, and he was a major part of the sport’s resurgence after Sandpapergate in 2018. In 2021, under his direction, Australia also won their first-ever T20 World Cup.
