Rajasthan Royals’ Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara has admitted that fatigue played a big part in their poor run at the back end of the ongoing IPL, which possibly derailed their campaign. RR, who won eight out of their opening nine matches, were firmly in contention to finish in the top two. But, the Sanju Samson-led side endured a four-match losing streak besides a washout tie, which forced the side to settle for a third-place finish. Although they bounced back with a win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Eliminator, Sunrisers Hyderabad got the better of RR in Qualifier 2 here on Friday.

“I think it was a great season for us. We started well, and then we lost a close game to SRH in Hyderabad and (in) Delhi also, we put ourselves in winning positions,” he said during the post-match media interaction after their 36-run loss to SRH.

“Sometimes you have streaks. RCB lost almost every game at the start and then caught up. That’s how T20 goes. All we can do is put ourselves in positions of playoffs and vying for finals, which we did.

“I think all the guys throughout the season played phenomenal cricket. There was a little bit of fatigue at the back end, but it doesn’t matter when you’re in games like this. You gotta turn up and perform.” Chasing a target of 176, RR were 65 for two by the eighth over, but kept on losing wickets in clusters thereafter, leading to their downfall. Commenting on the defeat, Sangakkara felt the middle-order could have done better.

“It was just a case of being smart and keeping our composure. Unfortunately, when you lose wickets in clusters, it becomes hard,” he said.

“Even in the RCB chase, if you lose wickets, it gets tense and close. Unfortunately, we needed a little bit more from our middle-order.” RR were also without Jos Buttler, who has been a force for the team in the top order.

While Sangakkara said that international scheduling was something that they couldn’t control, he felt that other batters should have stepped up.

“We always say that the best ability is availability, and unfortunately, we lost Jos. He is a big loss, without a doubt,” he said.

“When you’re in a playoff like this, and you’ve got that start without Jos, we expect the other batters to also step up.” RR have a few players travelling to the Americas for the T20 World Cup next month, namely Avesh Khan, Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Avesh has been the side’s highest wicket-taker for the season, with 19 wickets in 15 innings at an economy of 9.59, and Sangakkara was all-praise for the fast bowler.

“We traded Devdutt Padikkal (to Lucknow Super Giants) for Avesh because we knew how good he was, and he’s shown that throughout this tournament. And, that’s why he’s a travelling reserve as well for the World Cup for India,” he said. “He’s got a great presence and good clarity. He’s very good at finishing off in the death. I think he’s been phenomenal for RR.

“And, we couldn’t ask for a better trier. He bowls a lot in training. He’s always up for a game. I thought again today he was outstanding.”

“Don’t have time to commit full-time to an India coaching job”

Sangakkara clearly refused any intention of applying for the India head coach’s job, citing time issues.

“I have not been approached, and I don’t have time to commit full-time to an India coaching job. Happy with my stint with Royals, and let’s see how it goes,” he concluded.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) every year bring the best of cricket talents around the world in one place. This is one tournament which top names around the world do not want to miss. The high salary as well as the exposure make IPL a lucrative tournament. Along with top players, the coaches list in the IPL is also a high-profile one. Justin Langer is part of that list. He was the coach of the Lucknow Super Giants. Being part of the high-profile franchise, owned by Sanjiv Goenka, Langer traversed the country and soaked in the cricket atmosphere. 

He was quite taken aback by the hero worship of MS Dhoni across the country.  

“It’s extraordinary. I heard about it first; then we played them [CSK] twice. They came to Lucknow, and our capacity crowd [in Ekana Stadium] is about 50,000, and honestly, there would have been 48,000 MS Dhoni number seven shirts. I couldn’t believe it, and then we went to CSK, and there wasn’t 98%; there was 100%. And it’s unbelievable. The hero worship in India is unbelievable,” said Langer while speaking on the weekly cricket podcast from BBC Sport.

“And look, I felt it when we played in India before as a player, particularly with Sachin Tendulkar. Then, when I was coaching with [Australia], Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni, But when you get over there, it’s unbelievable.

He went on to say that the hero worship has its flip-side as well. 

“I saw the flip side of it as well actually, because Rohit Sharma is a huge hero in India as their captain. And what happened with Mumbai Indians this year? Hardik Pandya took over as the captain from Rohit Sharma, the much loved Rohit Sharma and it was really sad to watch. He got booed every game, that is the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team,” Langer said. 

“I learned this from Morne Morkel and Jonty Rhodes. They have been before. They told me that rather than getting upset just go with the flow. I sort of tried to explain, imagine in the EPL, in England and every single person turned up to every game in a David Beckham shirt. Yeah, it doesn’t happen, does it? It’s not even in our psychic. Like in every other country, it doesn’t make sense.”

Langer then went on to praise MS Dhoni. “But I was also taken by MS’ humility. When he walks onto the ground, he is co calm. I think it’s bit of a MS Dhoni that is happening around the world in terms of captaincy,” he said.

Lucknow Super Giants coach Justin Langer with captain K.L. Rahul
| Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena

Former Australian cricketer Justin Langer was enticed by the prospect of becoming India’s head coach but K.L. Rahul’s word of caution regarding the “pressure and politics” that come with the job dissuaded him from pursuing the “amazing” opportunity.

Langer, who served as Lucknow Super Giants’ head coach this IPL season, recalled a chat with franchise skipper and a senior member of the Indian team Rahul.

Never say never, but…

“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,” said Langer.

“That was a good bit of advice, I guess. It would be an amazing job, (but) I have (put myself out of contention),” he added.

Before taking up the assignment with Super Giants this year, Langer had coached Australia from May 2018 to February 2022, helping the team navigate a difficult period in the aftermath of the infamous ball-tampering scandal.

Under Langer’s guidance, Australia lifted its first-ever T20 World Cup title and also went on to win the Ashes.

“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!,” the 53-year-old said.

The BCCI has invited fresh applications for the head coach position, with a deadline set for May 27 as Rahul Dravid is set to exit after the T20 World Cup.

File photo of Justin Langer© AFP

Being the India head coach is one of the biggest assignments in cricket world and former Australia head coach Justin Langer believes that it could be very exhausting if the timing isn’t right for the incumbent. Langer, who coached Lucknow Super Giants during this IPL season was asked multiple times about his aspirations to become India head coach, a post set to be vacated by Rahul Dravid after T20 World Cup in the Americas. “It would almost be the biggest job in cricket — being the head coach of the Indian cricket team,” Langer replied when asked if the Indian board had approached him for taking on the mantle.

“One, because of the huge volume of cricket, the huge expectation. It would be a great challenge. It would be great fun and it would be a wonderful opportunity to win ICC titles,” Langer told the media in Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium after Lucknow Super Giants beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in their last IPL match of the season.

Langer cited immense pressure and workload that comes along being an India coach, while adding that it has not been too long since he held a similar role with Australia.

“But with all these things, the timing has got to be right. I did four or so years with the Australian cricket team. It is all encompassing. It is exhausting,” said the 53-year-old.

“Rahul Dravid will probably tell you the same thing and Ravi Shastri will probably tell you the same thing. The pressure on winning for the Indian team is massive,” he said.

He did drop a hint that he might not be mentally ready to commit 10 months a year for the job.

“I’m sure the next person who gets the job will be really looking forward to the project,” Langer added.

IPL is as big as a World Cup

Langer likened pressure in IPL with that of a World Cup competition, adding that it is the best domestic competition in the world.

“I would say categorically — it is the best domestic competition in the world. I can’t get over how tough the competition is. There’s so many good players. There’s so many good teams. There’s so much pressure on performance,” he said.

“I guess the biggest thing is, it is just really tough cricket. It is like a World Cup. It is honestly like the same sort of pressure as a World Cup, and I’ve been to a few World Cups now.

“That’s a great credit to the IPL that we’re able to keep producing such fun, entertaining, evolving cricket in front of a capacity crowd with noise every game. And there’s a game on every night.

“I’m sad to go home. I’m going home on the weekend. I’m actually really sad to go home. I’ve loved it that much,” he added.

Langer admitted World Cup selection for LSG players in their respective national sides could have been a distraction.

“I’ve had this sense that since the World Cup selection — and there is always distractions every IPL — but things seem to change a little bit,” he said.

“I’m not exactly sure what happened, but we had a couple of poor games and it is cost us. We played some really good cricket. We started off well. I was warned about May; everyone’s up and about in April, but how you go through May is very important in the IPL.

“(It is) something that we did fall away, we’ll sort of analyse it as well as we can, but it is been disappointing because we had a very good team. We missed a few injuries to our bowlers, which made a difference,” said Langer while adding that dropped catches ‘killed’ his side this season.

Standing by KL Rahul, the batter

Langer, however, backed Rahul despite consistent criticism over his batting strike rate.

“I’ve heard the criticism, but you know, everyone does it differently. We can’t all have, often if you play at a strike rate of 160 or 70 — it is very high risk cricket,” Langer said.

“The game is evolving and he will evolve and players will have to keep evolving. We’ve seen that with the opening partnerships in the powerplays this year. I mean, the strike rates have been extraordinary, right?” “He, like the great players, will keep evolving. All the best players and best coaches keep getting better. He’ll keep doing that,” Langer added.

Langer said only Rahul could tell if he was disappointed on being excluded from India squad for the World Cup.

“You’d have to ask KL that, but if you look at his numbers throughout the series, it is a pretty good series. Actually, it is a very good series. We’re one game off being in the playoffs next week,” Langer added.

File picture of Lucknow Super Giants coach Justin Langer
| Photo Credit: PTI

Justin Langer is unlikely to apply for India’s head coach job despite having quite an impressive resume in international cricket.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is on the lookout for a new head coach with incumbent Rahul Dravid deciding to step down at the end of India’s T20 World Cup campaign in June.

While there have been several names doing the rounds — including that of Gautam Gambhir — there was speculation that Langer might also throw his hat in the fray.

However, the Australian coach indicated on Friday that he may not be in the race.

Biggest job

“It would almost be the biggest job in cricket being the head coach of the Indian cricket team because of the huge volume of cricket, the huge expectation. It would be a great challenge, it would be great fun. It would be a wonderful opportunity to win ICC titles, but with all these things, the timing has gotta be right,” Langer said.

“I did four or so years with the Australian cricket team. It’s all-encompassing. It is exhausting and I think someone else like Rahul Dravid will probably tell you the same thing, Ravi Shastri will tell you the same thing.

“The pressure on winning for the Indian team is massive.

“So. I’m sure the next person who gets the job will be really looking forward to the project,” Langer, who coached Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL this year, said.

It would be a great challenge, it would be great fun… the pressure on winning for the Indian team is massive.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is looking for a new head coach for the men’s cricket team as Rahul Dravid’s stint will come to an end after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2024, and if he wishes to continue, he would have to re-apply for the position, which the veteran has been reportedly denying so far. The multi-format coaching role requires the coach to stay with the team for approximately ten months with the busy men’s team calendar. IANS understands that Dravid is ready to step down from the position regardless of the fact whether it ends with the T20 World Cup title or not and wishes to spend time with family.

Even though South Africa, Pakistan and England divide their coaching responsibilities between red-ball and white-ball cricket, the BCCI is still unwilling to adopt a similar strategy because India do not have two distinct player groups for two formats. The BCCI also approached ex-Indian players for the position but they will have to fill the application form to stay alive in the race.

Early speculation said that VVS Laxman would succeed Dravid in the role which he previously filled on a part-time basis in the latter’s absence last year. However, sources confirmed that Laxman is not in the mood to apply and will continue with the India ‘A’ team.

Former Australian cricketer and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) head coach Justin Langer is also in the fray for the head coach position along with other star veterans including Stephen Fleming, Gautam Gambhir and Ashish Nehra. BCCI has also been meeting with IPL coaches and mentors in the hunt for a head coach. Langer ‘is curious’ and interested in coaching the Indian team but according to sources, Ponting had a meeting with the BCCI secretary Jay Shah and chief selector Ajit Agarkar in Delhi in the first week of the month regarding the coaching position. Ponting is currently associated with IPL franchise Delhi Capitals as head coach.

BCCI can also look up to Gambhir, who returned back to his old franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after serving two years at Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and has played a key role in steering the side to back-to-back playoff finishes. Gujarat Titans head coach Nehra has also shown interest in guiding the Indian team in the past.

“Why not, if I would be given a chance to coach the Indian team why won’t I. I believe the team not only revolves around the captain it’s the management that plays the key role,” Nehra had said in an event back in 2021. Also, Nehra has proved his managing mettle with GT, winning the IPL in their debut season and a runner-up finish in the next edition.

Since Dravid is ‘not interested’ in extending his role and Laxman wants to stick with the ‘A’ team it is Ponting who is the front-runner in the race but the extensive ten months working load in away conditions will be the key point in his decision. Also, Ponting was appointed head coach of Washington Freedom ahead of the second season of Major League Cricket in the United States, which is set to start form July 6.

Soon after the end of T20 WC, India will be travelling to Zimbabwe for a five-match T20I series starting from July 15. So, with MLC ending on June 29, and Ponting serving Washington Freedom in the USA, it will be a very difficult job for the BCCI and the former Australian skipper to come to the conclusion.

BCCI can also look for other options such as Stephen Fleming, who is the longest-serving coach in IPL for Chennai Super Kings. Dravid, who was given a six-month extension post the 50-over World Cup in October-November, has his contract expiring after the T20 World Cup next month. The former India captain has the option of re-applying for the post.

The Indian board on Monday invited applications for the role with a deadline of May 27.

The position of the Indian team’s head coach is up for grabs with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in search of a top candidate to replace current chief Rahul Dravid. With his current term ending after June, Dravid is unwilling to continue as the head coach. Dravid was handpicked as head coach in 2021 by the then BCCI President Sourav Ganguly. His initial term came to an end after the ODI World Cup last year, but the board and the former Indian captain agreed to extend the contract till June 2024.

Former India batter VVS Laxman, who succeeded Dravid as the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), is one of the possible options. However, there is no indication that Laxman will apply for the job.

Jay Shah had also revealed that the BCCI is also looking at overseas candidates to replace Dravid, but it will only be considered depending on the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC)’s recommendations.

“If the CAC selects a foreign coach, I can’t interfere. A few interviews for the selector’s post have already happened. We will announce it soon,” Shah had said during a media interaction last week.

Having said that, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting and ex-New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming have also been approached by the BCCI for the role of the head coach.

However, according to a report in RevSportz, Ponting and Fleming are both reluctant to take the job.

“Two experienced foreign coaches, Chennai Super Kings’ Stephen Fleming and Delhi Capitals’ Ricky Ponting, have been informally sounded out by the BCCI. But the response from their side hasn’t been very positive. Both have been plying their trade in the IPL for a long time. They know Indian cricket inside-out. But the round the year job might prove to be a deterrent,” the report suggested.

For the record, Ponting had also been approached by the BCCI in 2021 after Ravi Shastri‘s tenure came to an end.

Ponting’s former Australia teammate Justin Langer‘s name has also appeared of late.

The deadline for applying for the post is May 27, with Dravid’s replacement will remain in charge until the 2027 World Cup.

File photo of Rahul Dravid© BCCI/Sportzpics