Former Australia head coach and two-time World Cup winner Darren Lehmann has declined to take the role of the India National Cricket Team coach amid criticism of Gautam Gambhir.
India’s National Cricket Team have been under massive pressure. This is because things haven’t been great for them in the last few months, especially in Test cricket. They faced a 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand at home and now have been struggling to get going in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Gautam Gambhir has come under massive pressure for the team’s poor returns in Test cricket
This has seen head coach Gautam Gambhir getting under a lot of pressure for the team’s poor returns. In the ongoing series, the India National Cricket Team have struggled big time with the bat, especially with runs not coming from senior batters Rohit Sharma as well as Virat Kohli since the last few series.
Gautam Gambhir also has been criticised a lot for selections related to the team and various reports have claimed that BCCI will be having discussions with him soon. The fact that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are not firing at all hasn’t helped the head coach at all, and talks related to the retirement of big players, too, have come up.
Darren Lehmann speaks on the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
While talking about the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Darren Lehmann said that it will be the call of both the players, who have been great players for India over a long period of time. He also said that Indian cricket has a lot of depth, adding that Yashasvi Jaiswal will be the next superstar. Speaking to PTI, Darren Lehmann said:
“Look, whenever they decide to give it away, and whatever happens in the next few days, they have been great players for India over a long period of time. Now, actually, we see younger players starting to step up for India and play well at the next level. There is so much depth in Indian cricket I won’t worry too much.
“Whenever these two guys decide to retire, there are so many talented youngsters that Indian cricket will be in good stead. Oh, superstar. One of the best I have seen He (Jaiswal) and Harry Brook are two next-generation players. They are the ones that people will sit back and say they are good players. He played very well in Melbourne and was outstanding in Perth. He has come up leaps and bounds on this tour,” Darren Lehmann added.
It would have been an honour to work with the Indian national team, but I am done with international cricket – Darren Lehmann
Darren Lehmann also was all praise for Jasprit Bumrah, saying that he will next captain of India after Rohit Sharma ends his career. He rated India’s pacer higher than Wasim Akram and Glenn McGrath and added that he will be successful as a leader. Darren Lehmann added:
“I presume he (Bumrah) is the next captain when Rohit finishes. He did a really good job in Perth. He is the best bowler I have ever seen live. I have seen Wasim Akram, Glenn McGrath and all, but I have not seen a bowler have an impact like him in a single series like Jasprit Bumrah has since Mitchell Johnson in the 2013-14 Ashes win. This is very similar as Bumrah already has 30 wickets. He has been outstanding to watch. He will do well when he gets a chance to lead India.”
Darren Lehmann was also asked if he would consider taking the India coach role; replying to this, he added that it would be an honor to work with Indian team, but he is done with international cricket.
“It would have been an honour to work with the Indian national team, but I am done with international cricket. I just want the young guys to get better,” Darren Lehmann said.