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Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan wants to coach India, inspired by former head coach John Wright.
Irfan Pathan has expressed a desire to coach the Indian team (Picture credit: AFP)
Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan has said that he would love to coach the Indian cricket team, adding that he would like to be involved in watching the team grow and it should be a fun experience. Since retirement, Irfan has been an expert on TV channels as well as on his YouTube channel.
Two of Irfan‘s former teammates, Rahul Dravid, the former India head coach and Gautam Gambhir, have since coached India, after Ravi Shastri’s departure at the end of the 2021 season.
India won the T20 World Cup last year under Dravid and won the 2025 Champions Trophy under current head coach Gambhir.
“Oh yes, definitely, because I like seeing growth happen. Sitting back and watching growth happen, being involved in that, is something that gives me a lot of fun,” Irfan said while speaking to RevSportz.
“I would like to share something here, that I really liked the coaching style of John Wright. When I first came into the Indian team, he used to work very hard, keep everyone very tight and get involved a lot amongst other things,” Irfan added.
“It was all about the players, managing everything from behind. That whole thing used to give me a lot of excitement. So, yes, in the future, when the time comes, why not? It will happen for sure,” Irfan said.
Wright, who served as India’s head coach from 2000 to 2005, played a pivotal role in shaping the side, guiding them to a shared Champions Trophy title with Sri Lanka in 2002 and a runners-up finish at the 2003 ODI World Cup.
Irfan also spoke about ace India batter Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami’s chances of playing the 2027 ODI World Cup, saying that it would be tough for the trio to stay match fit.
“My work, anyway, is more about broadcasting and coaching now, but when it is time to play, it is not too regular for me. In these situations, it is difficult to keep your body working,” Irfan said.
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