Former India opener Virender Sehwag has expressed his desire to coach an IPL team but he isn’t interested to perform the same role for the Indian men's cricket team.
Sehwag, who called time on his professional cricketing career in 2015, served as mentor of Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) till 2018 before parting ways with the franchise. Since then, he hasn’t associated himself with any IPL team.
However, Sehwag is open to take up a coaching role with one of the 10 IPL franchises going forward. His inclination stems from the nature of the job.
Notably, the IPL takes place for two months a year, which allows the coaching staff to manage a work-life balance. However, it is not the same case with Team India as the calendar remains occupied for the major chunk of the year.
"Not for the Indian cricket team, but if the IPL presents me with a coaching opportunity, I can surely have a look at it. If I become India head coach, then it’ll have to return to the same routine which I underwent for 15 years. Playing for the Indian team requires you to stay on the road 8-9 months a year. 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 spent time. If I become the India head coach, staying away from them would be my biggest challenge. I will not be able to give time to my children. But yes, if there is a coach or a mentor role available in the IPL, I can take it up," Sehwag said in an interview with Amar Ujala.
Sehwag’s comment came a couple of months after his former Delhi and India teammate Gautam Gambhir was appointed as the head coach of Team India.
Gambhir's first assignment as Team India's head coach was a mixed one. While India dominated Sri Lanka to win the T20I series 3-0 in Palleleke, they were outplayed by the hosts in the ODI series in Colombo.
Gambhir has a long road stern challenges ahead as India are due to tour Australia later this year, followed by the Champions Trophy 2025 among other marquee series and tournaments.
However, Sehwag believes Gambhir's role will not be as challenging due to the presence of established players and match-winners in the Indian team.
"I don't think it's a challenging role because there are other professionals too. The team recently won the T20 World Cup; players know their roles. With Gambhir coming in, players will have clarity. So this 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, we have to win the Champions Trophy, or the WTC final or the World Cup. But of course, Gambhir is around to help them all," he remarked.
