‘If you think there's pressure and politics in an IPL team, multiply that by a thousand’ - KL Rahul’s message to Justin Langer on India head coach role

Former Australia cricketer and current Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer was approached by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to consider taking up the role of the head coach in the Indian team. However, the 53-year-old turned down the proposition and stated it is not the kind of responsibility he wants to take up at the moment.

Explaining his reasons, Langer mentioned that he had a chat with India cricketer KL Rahul, who interestingly mentioned that there is a lot of politics and pressure that the former Australia international needs to deal with if he takes up the role. He considered it to be ‘good advice’ and eventually opted out of it. However, Langer kept the door open for the future as he considered it to be an ‘awesome job.'

“It would be an amazing job, (but) I have (put myself out of contention). 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 on BBC's Stumped podcast.

Also Read - Justin Langer opts out of race for head coach of Team India

“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,” he added. 

Meanwhile, former cricketer and current Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting too opted out after BCCI approached him earlier at the moment. Ponting, who has been named the new head coach of Washington Freedom in the MLC stated that taking up the role of the head coach of the Indian cricket team would require him to remain away from the family for almost a year, which is something that doesn’t suit his lifestyle.

Also Read - Ricky Ponting opens up on approach for India's head coach role

Among Indians, Gautam Gambhir has been approached by the BCCI and the two parties are expected to meet after the IPL final on May 26. On the other hand, as per reports, Harbhajan Singh has expressed his desire to take up the role. Among foreigners, BCCI officials are in touch with Stephen Fleming and Mahela Jayawardene.