The Mumbai Indians (MI) director of cricket operations and former captain of Sri Lanka, Mahela Jayawardene, is a name that merits careful thought, though.
Several well-known names have surfaced as possible candidates for the high-profile position of head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, which was recently opened for applications by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
After the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup in 2024, head coach Rahul Dravid’s stint would come to an end. Under Dravid’s leadership, Men in Blue enjoyed a successful run, making it to the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup finals in 2023.
In light of the possibility that Dravid may not pursue an extension, the BCCI is considering its alternatives, which include considering overseas coaching talent after almost ten years, following the fruitful tenures of Duncan Fletcher, John Wright, and Gary Kirsten.
Mahela Jayawardene has worked with the Mumbai Indians and Sri Lanka in the past.
As a strong contender, Jayawardene checks off a lot of boxes. MI has a successful partnership with Rohit Sharma and has won numerous IPL titles under his direction. He has worked as a consultant for the Sri Lankan team outside of the IPL.
Mahela Jayawardene has an advantage because of his man-management abilities and capacity to foster a positive atmosphere in the locker room, which are essential for the challenging position of head coach for the Indian national team. Even after Dravid replaced Ravi Shastri, BCCI was eager to get his services.
Notable applicants like Stephen Fleming and Gautam Gambhir have done well with IPL teams, but they should be wary of the lengthy travel and dedication needed for the India position.
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Even though the BCCI will undoubtedly give each applicant a close examination, Jayawardene is a strong contender due to his outstanding coaching background, man-management abilities, and prior board interest. The Indian cricket board will find it hard to ignore his convincing trials if he chooses to enter the race.
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