Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting coach Michael Hussey has become the latest Australian to rule himself out for the India head coach job, citing his lack of interest in the high-profile role at this time.
Earlie this month, the BCCI started their hunt for the head coach of the Indian cricket team. Rahul Dravid is currently serving as the chief coach and his term expires after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA next month.
With multiple reports suggesting that Dravid is unlikely to re-apply, it seems likely that the Indian team will have a new coach at the helm post the T20 World Cup 2024.
Earlier, Hussey’s former Australian teammates Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting also decided against applying for the role. Langer, who currently serves as the head coach of Lucknow Super Giants, described the prospect of coaching India as “exhausting” whereas Ponting, who is associated with Delhi Capitals as chief coach, said the job “wouldn’t fit into his present lifestyle.”
“Certainly as a full-time international coach, it's not something at this stage of my life that I'm that keen on," Hussey was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald.
"Out of playing, and even now, it's not really on my radar, and I'm enjoying the balance of being able to coach as an assistant or head coach and then doing a bit of media as well.
"I love that balance and still spending some time at home. You'd always like more time at home, but the bucket is pretty full at the moment."
Besides his involvement with CSK, Hussey is also the head coach of Welsh Fire in The Hundred. Moreover, he is a commentator for Fox Cricket during the Australia home summer.
“They play more cricket than probably anyone in the world really, they're literally going from tour to tour to tour. So, that would be a pretty challenging sort of role where you'd have to be there, boots on the ground," he said.
"You're probably only getting the IPL off, which is eight to 10 weeks, but then the rest of the year, you're going to be pretty much on the go.”
Meanwhile, the BCCI secretary Jay Shah has denied approaching any former Australian cricketer for the position of the India head coach.
"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.
"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," Shah said in a recent statement.
(With PTI Inputs)
