Virender Sehwag prefers coaching in IPL over Team India
Virender Sehwag, the former Indian opener and renowned commentator, has expressed his interest in coaching an Indian Premier League (IPL) team. However, he has ruled out the possibility of leading Team India due to its demanding schedule. This revelation came during an interview with Amar Ujala. Sehwag's decision is influenced by his desire to balance professional commitments with family responsibilities.
Sehwag's coaching journey and IPL preference
Sehwag retired from international cricket in 2015, and transitioned into coaching and commentary. He was associated with Punjab Kings (PBKS) as a player in 2014 and 2015, before joining their coaching staff as a mentor in 2016. Later, he ascended to the position of director of cricket. Despite applying for Team India's head coach position in 2017, Sehwag was overlooked in favor of Ravi Shastri by the Cricket Advisory Committee.
Family commitments influence Sehwag's coaching decisions
Sehwag explained his preference for an IPL coaching role over Team India's, citing the latter's hectic schedule as a deterrent. He emphasized his family responsibilities, particularly toward his teenage sons who are budding cricketers. "Right now my kids are 14 and 16 and they need me. Both play cricket," Sehwag told Amar Ujala. He expressed concern that coaching Team India would limit his availability for his children due to extensive travel requirements.
Sehwag's IPL coaching stint and future prospects
Sehwag's tenure as a coach with PBKS lasted until 2018, but the team did not achieve significant success during this period. They failed to qualify for the second round in any season under his guidance. Despite these setbacks, Sehwag remains open to future opportunities in IPL coaching or mentorship roles. "If I get the role of a coach or mentor in IPL, then I will definitely think about it," he stated.
