"They’re literally going from tour to tour to tour" - Michael Hussey rules himself out of India coach job
Published - 25 May 2024, 10:23 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:12 AM
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Former Australia batsman Michael Hussey has ruled himself out of contention to become Team India's head coach. The BCCI is currently looking for a new coach as Rahul Dravid's tenure will come to an end after the T20 World Cup next month.
The deadline to apply for the post is May 27 and there is still no clear favourite to become the next India head coach. Recently, the likes of Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer stated that they had received offers from the BCCI to become the head coach but they refused the offers. However, BCCI secretary Jay Shah categorically denied any approach from the board for the former Australian cricketers.
Apart from them, former New Zealand captain and current Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming is also linked with the high-profile job although the franchise's CEO Kasi Viswanathan recently hinted that it is unlikely to happen. The other candidates who are linked with the job are former India opener Gautam Gambhir and former Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene.
Michael Hussey says no to India coaching job:
While Michael Hussey is not really in contention to be the next India head coach, he has stated that he would not accept the role even if he gets the opportunity. While Hussey is yet to coach a high-profile team, he is a part of CSK's backroom staff. He is also the head coach of Welsh Fire in The Hundred.
Hussey pointed out India's busy schedule and said that he is not ready to accept such a busy role at this stage of his life. He said that he likes his current schedule where he is involved with a franchise for a few weeks and also plies his trade as a commentator occasionally.
"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. 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.
"Certainly as a full-time international coach, it’s not something at this stage of my life that I’m that keen on. 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," Hussey told ‘The Sydney Morning Herald’.
Team India have not appointed an overseas head coach since Duncan Fletcher's tenure ended in 2015. The last three head coaches for the team have been Indians and it won't be surprising if Dravid's replacement is an Indian as well.