Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin has said that he would spare no thoughts if given an opportunity to coach the Indian cricket team.
Mohammad Azharuddin and Ravi Shastri (Twitter Images)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Amazed to see so many support staff travelling with the team: Azharuddin
- I would jump at opportunity at becoming Team India’s coach: Azharuddin
- IPL has given a lot to the sport in the last 10-12 years: Azharuddin
Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin has said that if given a chance to become the head coach of Indian cricket team he would not even blink and grab the opportunity with both his hands.
“Yes, I am ready to give it a shot. If I get an opportunity to work with the Indian team, I would jump at it without batting an eyelid,” Mohammad Azharuddin told Gulf News in an interview.
However, Mohammad Azharuddin will have to wait until 2021 T20 World Cup to see if he gets the opposrtunity as BCCI had extended current coach Ravi Shastri’s contract till the time period in August 2019.
The former stylish batsman, who was famous for his breathtaking flicks, also expressed his surprise over the number of support staff travelling with the team these days. Azharuddin said he fails to understand the logic of a different batting coach when the head coach himself is an expert in batting.
“I am amazed to see so many people accompanying the team these days. For example, my specialisation is in batting and fielding and hence if I coach any team, I don’t really need a batting coach. Isn’t it?” Mohammad Azharuddin added.
Azharuddin, now the president if Hyderabad Cricket Association, also opened up on the future of 2020 IPL. The 57-year-old hoped that IPL would get a window by the end of this year. Mohammad Azharuddin, who played 99 Tests and 334 ODIs for India, added that IPL had given a lot to cricket.
“I hope the league can eventually get a window where we get to host a minimum of seven matches. The league, whether one likes it or not, has given a lot to the sport in the last 10-12 years.
“It’s a stage where cricketers get a lot of attention if they perform and get recognised quickly. Just think about it, a Hardik Pandya or a Jasprit Bumrah may still have been struggling in first class cricket if the IPL was not there. I think it has been a win-win situation for the BCCI vis-à-vis the cricketers and don”t agree with a section of critics who often call it a money-grab,” Mohammad Azharuddin concluded.
Recently, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly in a letter to state associations had said that the board was looking at all the possibilities to host the 2020 IPL. Ganguly had added that if required closed door matches will also be considered to host IPL 13.
