Former Australia head coach and two-time World Cup winner Darren Lehmann has refused to take over as coach of the Indian national cricket team amid criticism of Gautam Gambhir.
The Indian national cricket team has been under enormous pressure. This is because things have not gone very well for them in recent months, especially in Test cricket. They faced a 3-0 defeat against New Zealand at home and have now been struggling to get going in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Gautam Gambhir has come under immense pressure due to the team’s poor results in Test cricket.
This has put head coach Gautam Gambhir under a lot of pressure due to the team’s poor results. In the ongoing series, the Indian national cricket team has been struggling mightily with the bat, especially with runs not coming from senior batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli since the last few series.
Gautam Gambhir has also been heavily criticized for team-related selections and several reports have claimed that the BCCI will hold talks with him soon. The fact that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are not sacked has not helped the head coach at all, and talks of big players retiring have also emerged.
Darren Lehmann talks about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s retirement
Talking about the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Darren Lehmann said that it will be the decision of both players, who have been great players for India for a long period of time. He also said that Indian cricket has a lot of depth and added that Yashasvi Jaiswal will be the next superstar. Speaking to PTI, Darren Lehmann said:
“Look, every time they decide to give him away, and whatever happens in the next few days, they have been great players for India for a long period of time. Now, in fact, we see younger players starting to step up to India and playing. Well, at the next level there is so much depth in Indian cricket that I won’t worry too much.
“Whenever these two guys decide to retire, there are so many talented youngsters that Indian cricket will be of great use. Oh superstar. One of the best I have seen. He (Jaiswal) and Harry Brook are two next generation players. They are who people will sit back and say are good players. He played very well in Melbourne and was outstanding in Perth. He has come on in leaps and bounds on this tour,” added Darren Lehmann.
It would have been an honor to work with the Indian team, but I’m done with international cricket – Darren Lehmann
Darren Lehmann also praised Jasprit Bumrah and said that he will be the next captain of India after Rohit Sharma ends his career. He rated the Indian pacer above Wasim Akram and Glenn McGrath and added that he will succeed as a leader. Darren Lehmann added:
“I guess he (Bumrah) will be the next captain when Rohit is done. He did a very good job in Perth. He is the best bowler I have seen live. I have seen Wasim Akram, Glenn McGrath and all, but I haven’t seen for a bowler to have an impact like him in a single series like Jasprit Bumrah has done since Mitchell Johnson in the 2013-14 Ashes win This is very similar as Bumrah already has. 30 wickets. It’s been extraordinary to watch. He will do well when he gets the chance to lead India.”
Darren Lehmann was also asked if he would consider taking over as India coach; Responding to this, he added that it would be an honor to work with the Indian team, but he is done with international cricket.
“It would have been an honor to work with the Indian national team, but I’m done with international cricket. I just want the youngsters to improve,” said Darren Lehmann.
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