Former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin has said that he is willing to coach Team India if he is given the opportunity. “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,” Azharuddin told Gulf News in an interview.
Ravi Shastri is the current head coach of the Indian team and his contract runs till the T20 World Cup in 2021. Cricket is currently on hold due to the coronavirus outbreak and England is all set to host West Indies for a home Test series in July. The three-Test series will mark the resumption of international cricket after the sport was suspended since March due to Covid-19 crisis.
Azharuddin wondered why too many ‘support staff’ travel with teams these days. “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?” explained Azhar who is now the President of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA).
The former also said he is hopeful that the Indian Premier League (IPL), which was also postponed due to the health crisis, will see the light of the day in a window provided later in the year. The BCCI is working on an October window if the T20 World Cup does not take place in Australia.
“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.” he concluded.