Mahela Jayawardene dismisses claims of turning down BCCI's offer for the role of India’s head coach

Earlier it was reported that Ravi Shastri had wished to step down as Team India’s head coach after the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021. Apart from Shastri, even bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar have decided to step down. For the same, the BCCI is currently on the hunt to find suitable candidates.

Earlier, it was learned that the BCCI approached Anil Kumble, VVS Laxman, and Mahela Jayawardene for the pivotal role, once Shastri vacates the position. Several reports were surfacing as to how the former Sri Lankan captain refused to take up the coaching role of the Indian team citing he was happy with the Mumbai Indians and the Sri Lankan U19 team.

But Jayawardene has dismissed those rumours and has also confirmed that the BCCI has not contacted him for the coaching role. He opened up on the same on his official Twitter account.

“Was I or did I get interviewed by the Indian Express?? Why @ThePapareSports using my picture for a quote… don’t fall into the gossip section,” Jayawardene wrote.

Was I or did I get interviewed by the indian express?? 🤔🤔 why @ThePapareSports using my picture for a quote… don’t fall in to the gossip section 😉 https://t.co/kqOyThGe9G

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) September 18, 2021

Jayawardene’s record as a coach is stupendous, to say the least, while being in charge of the MI franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2017. During his stint, MI have also won two IPL titles. He was also the coach of Southern Brave in the inaugural edition of the Hundred, during which the team won the championship beating Birmingham Phoenix in the final.

BCCI approached Anil Kumble and VVS Laxman

If certain reports are to be believed, then the BCCI president Sourav Ganguly is keen on having Anil Kumble back at a coaching position for Team India. The former leg-spinner was with the team for close to a year from 2106 to 2017 but resigned due to a bitter fallout with Indian skipper Virat Kohli.

Interestingly, Ganguly, along with Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid were the ones who approved Kumble for the coaching role back in 2016.

And now again Ganguly is keen to have Kumble onboard. Laxman’s name is also doing the rounds. The former India batter has also some experience in the coaching department as he is with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) as a mentor.