Would jump at the opportunity to be Team India's coach without batting an eyelid: Mohammad Azharuddin

Team India’s incumbent head coach Ravi Shastri has been criticized many a time for his failure in the past two World Cups. With Shastri at the helm, the Men in Blue got knocked out of the semi-finals of both the showpiece events.

On the flip side, Shastri boasts an impressive record as Team India reached the No.1 ranking in Test matches under his guidance and won a series in Australia for the first time in 71 years. Considering his record, the BCCI extended his tenure until 2021.

Over the past few years, many former India internationals have expressed their desire to become the coach of Team India.  Former India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin has also said that if given the chance to don the head coach’s role of Team India, he would not even blink and grab the opportunity with both his hands. However, with Shastri at the helm until 2021, Azharuddin will have to wait for a while to apply for the position.

“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.

Azharuddin, who was famous for the usage of wrists in his flicks, also expressed his surprise over the number of support staff accompanying the team these days. According to the veteran, if the head coach specializes in batting, the team doesn’t need an additional batting coach.

“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?” added Azharuddin.

Mohammad Azharuddin also opened up on the future on IPL 2020

Azharuddin, who is currently the president of Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), also opened up on the future of IPL 2020. The tournament is in jeopardy due to COVID-19 outbreak and Azharuddin hoped that the IPL eventually gets a window this year.

“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,” he concluded.