Gavaskar highlighted that tactical instructions from foreign head coaches often go completely misunderstood.
Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar believes IPL franchises should hire Indian assistant coaches to bridge the language and cultural barrier between overseas head coaches and local players.
Gavaskar argued that because IPL rules restrict playing XIs to a maximum of four overseas players, the vast majority of every franchise squad consists of domestic Indian players.
As many young Indian players come from the rural areas of the country where English is not widely spoken, Gavaskar highlighted that tactical instructions from foreign head coaches often go completely misunderstood.
In his column for Sportstar, Gavaskar suggested that an Indian assistant coach can solve this issue by breaking down complex strategies into regional languages that domestic players can easily grasp.
Beyond tactics, the former cricketer-turned-commentator stated that players find it easier to approach an Indian coach who can empathise with their background and help them manage the immense pressure and anxiety of performing in front of massive IPL crowds.
"Every franchise squad invariably has more Indian players, as only four overseas players can play in the XI. Plenty of the Indian players come from the interiors of the country, where English is not widely spoken. Therefore, when an overseas coach is speaking, much of what he says goes over the heads of these young players," Gavaskar wrote.
"Here, it makes perfect sense for the franchises to hire an Indian as an assistant coach who can translate and convey what the overseas coach is saying. It is easier for the youngsters to approach an Indian coach who can speak their language, empathise with them, and help them overcome the nerves and anxiety of playing in front of the huge crowds that the IPL attracts," he added.
Gavaskar mentioned names of former Indian cricketers Praveen Kumar, Piyush Chawla and Balwinder Singh Sandhu as coaching options in the IPL.
"Names that readily come to mind include Praveen Kumar, a terrific swing bowler who cleverly mixed his deliveries and bowled the occasional bouncer to keep the batter guessing, and Piyush Chawla, another smart bowler who was part of the 2011 World Cup-winning team. If age is not a factor, Balwinder Singh Sandhu, too, has a deep knowledge not just of swing bowling but of the game itself," he remarked.
Gavaskar’s suggestion came shortly after former India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan publicly reached out to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka for a bowling coach role in the IPL.