What made former Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene feel flattered?

Jayawerdene
Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene. File Pic.

Internet Desk: Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawerdene could not hide his emotions after being linked to a coaching stint with the Indian senior men’s cricket team. Mahela, who retired from international cricket in 2014, is regarded as one of the best cricketing brains. He along with Tom Moody and Virender Sehwag is linked with replacing Anil Kumble as the head coach of the Indian team. Kumble has recently decided not to extend his tenure as the coach of the Indian team. But the Sri Lankan has rubbished the claims as he cannot afford a full time job at the moment. In his tweet, Jayawerdene said, “Flattered by speculation linking me to India coaching job but I’m not looking at full-time positions right now.”

Jayawerdene tweet

The former Sri Lankan legend has been successful in his stint as the coach of Indian Premier League champion Mumbai Indians this season. Jayawerdene is also linked to replace Graham Ford, who has recently relinquished the post of Head Coach of Sri Lankan team. Former New Zealand cricketers Stephen Fleming and Scott Styris along with Australian cricketer Tom Moody has been tipped to take the post. Moody has earlier coached the island nation.

But according to Sri Lanka Cricket President Thilanga Sumathipala, “Mahela is still short of experience as a senior coach, he may be good as a T20 batting or a fielding coach.”

Graham Ford, who was the coach only for one year, decided to quit this week reportedly due to differences of opinion with Sumathipala’s management.

SLC sources said they were mulling approaching Chandika Hathurusinghe, the current Bangladeshi coach to take over. But his contract with the Bangladeshis will only end in 2019.