Virender Sehwag says he will give priority to a coaching role in the Indian Premier League (IPL) if an opportunity arises. The veteran suggests he would consider coaching an IPL side over the India national team job. Sehwag expressed his preference while responding to questions in a recent interview:
“Not with the Indian cricket team, but if the IPL presents me with a coaching opportunity, I can surely have a look at it.”
The 44-year-old is one of India’s most-talented cricketers of all time and continues to attract wide admiration long after retirement. IPL franchises are likely to line up for his services if he remains open to taking such jobs.
Why Does Fancy Sehwag Favour Coaching an IPL Team Over Being the National Team Coach?
Busy national team routine
Sehwag was in the Indian cricket team for years and knows how demanding being its head coach can be. The veteran cricketer believes being national team head coach will derail his current schedule:
“If I become India head coach, then I’ll have to return to the same routine which I went through for 15 years. Playing for the Indian team requires you to stay on the road 8-9 months a year.” Sehwag’s comments are valid seeing the long schedule current cricket coaches must deal with each calendar year.
Family life
Virender traded his fiery cricket personality for a level-headed family man right after retirement. He believes taking up a job as India’s national team coach will interfere with his family life:
“My kids are 14 and 16, and they need me. Both play cricket for Delhi. One is an opening batter and the other an off-spinner. I need to help them with cricket and spend time. If I become the India head coach, staying away from them would be my biggest challenge.”
Virender’s comments suggest he would prefer offering personal training to his young sons ahead of coaching India’s national team. His preference to deliver hands-on coaching to his children could produce later benefits for the Men in Blue.
However, Sehwag makes it clear that he will be open to coach an IPL team if the opportunity is available.
“I will not be able to give time to my children. But yes, if there is a coach or mentor role available in the IPL, I can take it up,” Sehwag added.
Flexible IPL schedule
Each IPL season usually starts and ends within 10 weeks. Virender Sehwag obviously prefers being an IPL coach over other options based on the flexible schedule such position brings. The seasoned cricketer could merge other commitments with being an IPL coach seamlessly, a nearly impossible feat for national team coaches.
Sehwag Speaks on the Current National Team
Virender Sehwag believes being India’s head coach isn’t much of a challenge, as most players know their roles perfectly:
“I don’t think it’s a challenging role because there are other professionals involved too. The team recently won the T20 World Cup; players know their roles.”
Sehwag also shared his views on the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as India’s new head coach. He believes Gambhir has the goods to coach Team India and there would be less challenges to face:
“With Gambhir coming in, players will have clarity. So that will be an added advantage. The challenges will be less for Gambhir and more for players, since now they would feel that after the T20 World Cup, they have to win the Champions Trophy, or the WTC final or the World Cup. But of course, Gambhir is around to help them all,” Sehwag concluded.
Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as the Team India head coach continues to divide cricket fanbases. Many cricket fans believe Gambhir’s inexperience as a coach could become India’s undoing in tough competitions.
Gambhir has never coached a senior international or franchise team before securing India’s head coaching job. However, legends like Virender Sehwag and Ravi Shastri have come out to express their confidence in Gambhir’s abilities. Legends like Sehwag will hope Gambhir repays their confidence in him with a decent string of international championships.
Why is Virender Sehwag Eyeing a Coaching Role?
Many former teammates of Sehwag have either gone on to become franchise or national team coaches. Some ex-squad members during Sehwag’s playing days have also gone into mentorship and cricket administration.
Several beneficial packages come with being an experienced veteran in a senior coaching or administrative role. Chances are high that Sehwag could seek a return to the sport he featured in for more than a decade. Sehwag may also be seeking a new challenge years after quitting professional cricket across all formats.
