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Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has expressed his preference for a coaching role in the Indian Premier League (IPL) over a position with the Indian national team. Sehwag, one of the most explosive batters of his era, highlighted his desire to prioritize family commitments as a key factor in this decision.
Virender Sehwag prefers IPL coaching over Team India
Sehwag emphasized that while he is open to taking up a coaching role in the IPL, he is not inclined to accept the position of head coach for Team India. The 44-year-old cited the demands of the job, particularly the extensive travel schedule, as the primary reason for his decision.
“Not with 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’s 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. My kids are 14 and 16, and they need me. Both play cricket for Delhi,” Sehwag said during an Amar Ujala event.
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Sehwag favors IPL coaching for flexibility and family time
Sehwag further elaborated on his reasons for declining a potential Team India coaching role, saying that family comes first at this stage in his life. He shared that both of his children are budding cricketers, with one serving as an opening batter and the other as an off-spinner. Being involved in their development and spending quality time with them is a priority for the former opener.
“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. 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 reiterated.
The Nawab of Najafgarh’s comments reflect the growing recognition among retired cricketers of the demanding nature of national team coaching roles. For Sehwag, who spent over a decade representing India at the highest level, the appeal of a more flexible and less time-consuming position, such as in the IPL, appears to be a better fit for his current lifestyle.
While the dynamic batter has remained closely connected to cricket through commentary, media work, and occasional mentoring roles, he made it clear that a full-time position with the Indian national team may not be in his immediate future. Instead, the former Indian player seems more inclined to explore opportunities in the IPL, where coaching roles are shorter in duration and often come with fewer travel requirements, allowing him to balance his professional ambitions with his personal responsibilities.
As one of India’s most iconic cricketers, Sehwag’s future involvement in the IPL could be an exciting development for fans and teams alike, offering him a chance to impart his vast knowledge and experience to the next generation of cricketers without sacrificing his family life.
