• Sportzyverse
• Cricket news
• 05/25/2024
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Legendary Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara has confirmed that he will not apply for the Team India head coach position. As Rahul Dravid’s current tenure approaches its conclusion after the T20 World Cup 2024, the BCCI has been actively seeking candidates for this high-profile role. Despite interest in securing a coach with a notable cricketing background, Sangakkara has made it clear that he has neither been approached nor has he any intention to apply.

Lack of Time Commitment

Sangakkara cited the demanding nature of the Indian team coaching job as the primary reason for his disinterest. The role, which requires a commitment of approximately 9-10 months a year, is too time-consuming for the Sri Lankan legend. “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 stated. His current position with the Rajasthan Royals allows him to maintain a balanced professional life, which he prefers over the extensive demands of the national team coach.

Kumar Sangakkara has served as the director of cricket operations and head coach for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for several seasons. Despite the team’s strong performances and twice reaching the playoffs in the last three editions, they have yet to secure an IPL trophy under his guidance. Sangakkara expressed satisfaction with his current role and remains committed to the franchise.

Reflections on the Royals’ Season

Reflecting on the recent IPL season, Sangakkara acknowledged the team’s strong start but noted their struggles towards the end of the campaign. The Rajasthan Royals began dominantly, winning eight out of their first nine matches and positioning themselves as strong contenders for a top-two finish. However, the latter part of the season did not go as planned, culminating in a third-place finish. They managed a victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Eliminator but fell to Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2.

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Sangakkara praised his team’s overall performance and resilience. “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 remarked. He emphasized the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket and the importance of maintaining performance levels throughout the season. Despite some fatigue, he credited his players for their phenomenal cricket and efforts to reach the playoffs.

Kumar Sangakkara’s decision to rule out the possibility of becoming the head coach of the Indian cricket team underscores the significant time commitment and challenges associated with the role. His current focus remains on contributing to the success of the Rajasthan Royals, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the team’s strategies and performance.