'1000 times more politics': Justin Langer snubs Team India's coaching role after KL Rahul's advice

Justin Langer removed himself from consideration for the position of head coach of the Indian men's cricket team following a conversation with Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul.

The BCCI is said to be exploring various possibilities for replacing Rahul Dravid when his contract expires following the upcoming T20 World Cup. Nevertheless, Langer has decided not to participate in the competition, stating that these roles can be 'tiring', and he recalled a discussion with KL Rahul while both were with Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2024. Langer disclosed that Rahul discussed the stress and the political dynamics present in Indian cricket.

“It would be an amazing job, but I have to 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 was quoted as saying on BBC’s Stumped podcast.

When asked if he would take up the job in the future, Langer said: “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 and 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", Langer concluded.

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