Former Sri Lankan captain and Rajasthan Royals’ current coach Kumar Sangakkara has recently opened up on Team India’s coaching role. The veteran left-handed batter declined the possibility of the role, saying that he has no time. With Rahul Dravid all set to leave the position vacant after the 2024 T20 World Cup, the BCCI has already started inviting applications for the same. Meanwhile, Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer have declined offers after claiming to have been approached by the BCCI, while Andy Flower has denied applying for the role as well.

Speaking at a presser after the Royals lost Qualifier 2 on Friday, May 24, Sangakkara said: “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.”

However, despite not qualifying for the final, the veteran has done a decent job for the franchise, lifting them to the playoffs twice in three years as well. Sangakkara also lauded Sandeep Sharma, who has used his variations to significant effect throughout the season. With Prasidh
Krishna and Navdeep Saini were unavailable, he felt Sandeep, who took 13 wickets in 11 innings, stepped up as well.

“I think it’s just a case of changing his role. We always knew that a lot of sides used him upfront but with his pace and skill, we identified that he will be very, very effective for us in the middle and at the back end. We didn’t have the services of Prasidh Krishna again. Navdeep Saini was injured, and he was coming back from a big shoulder injury and came [in] halfway through the season. For two seasons now, Sandeep has been absolutely outstanding for us,” Kumar Sangakkara concluded.