According to reports, Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer were recently asked to become the coaches of the Indian men's cricket team.
Jay Shah, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), clarified that no one from the BCCI had approached "any former Australian cricketer with a coaching offer" just a day after Justin Langer disclosed that he had declined the opportunity to coach the Indian men's cricket team after being approached by members of the BCCI.
In addition to Langer, who is employed by the Lucknow Super Giants, Australian cricket star Ricky Ponting, who manages the Delhi Capitals, disclosed that he had been in discussions over a position with the Indian cricket team but had declined.
“Neither I nor the BCCI have approached any former Australian cricketer with a coaching offer. The reports circulating in certain media sections are completely incorrect,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah noted in a statement. “Finding the right coach for our national team is a meticulous and thorough process. We are focused on identifying individuals who possess a deep understanding of the Indian cricket structure and have risen through the ranks. Our coach must have an in-depth knowledge of our domestic cricket framework to truly elevate Team India to the next level.”
Shah added: “When we talk about international cricket, no role is more prestigious than that of the Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team. Team India commands the largest fan base globally, enjoying truly unrivalled support. Our rich history and passion for the game make this one of the most lucrative jobs in the world. The role demands a high level of professionalism as one gets to nurture some of the best cricketers in the world and an assembly line of talented cricketers to follow. Catering to the aspirations of a billion fans is a huge honour and the BCCI will pick the right candidate, capable of propelling Indian cricket forward.”
Langer had said on the BBC's Stumped podcast that he turned down the India invitation after speaking with LSG captain KL Rahul.“I was talking to KL Rahul [the captain at Lucknow Super Giants, where Langer is the head coach] 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," Langer said.
Ponting had declined the India offer because it did not "fit into his lifestyle right now," he had revealed to the ICC.
“A national head coach is a 10 or 11-month of-the-year job, and as much as I’d like to do it, it just doesn’t fit into my lifestyle right now and the things that I enjoy doing,” Ponting said.