Justin Langer Expresses ‘Curiousness’ For India Head Coach’s Job After BCCI Formally Invites Applications

New Delhi: Soon after the BCCI invited fresh applications for the role of India men’s head coach, Australian Justin Langer expressed ‘curiousness’ for the job. The position will go vacant after current Indian head coach Rahul Dravid’s tenure ends at the end of the T20 World Cup 2024 in June. Dravid, a former India captain, was appointed the head coach of the Indian men’s team in 2021 after Ravi Shastri ended his tenure after the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Although India couldn’t bag any ICC trophy under Dravid, his statistics aren’t bad either. The Men in Blue made it to the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinals before reaching the summit clashes in the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup, both last year.

“Well, I am curious,” Langer was quoted as saying by TOI. “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,” added the former Australian head coach.

Earlier, BCCI secretary Jay Shah had hinted that there is a possibility of the Indian board hiring a foreign coach. The last time India had foreign coach was Englishman Duncan Fletcher in 2014. Since then, former India cricketers – Anil Kumble, Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid – held the top job.

As far as Langer is concerned, the Australian comes with a record of playing 105 Tests, scoring 7696 runs. He took over the reins of Australian when the country’s cricket was going through the infamous Sandpapergate in 2018. Langer coached Australia for four years before accepting the job at Lucknow Super Giants. Under Langer, Australia clinched their maiden T20 World Cup title in 2021.