Irfan Pathan eyes India Head Coach role, Gautam Gambhir’s job in jeopardy

Former Team India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has opened up about the possibility of taking on a coaching role with the national cricket team in the future. The cricketer-turned-commentator also revealed that being involved in player development and witnessing growth gives him immense satisfaction.

Pathan represented the Indian cricket team from 2003 to 2012. He was part of the squad that won the 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa. Pathan played 29 Tests, 120 ODIs, and 24 T20 Internationals. He scored 2,821 runs across formats with the bat. The left-arm pacer picked up 301 wickets with the ball.

Definitely - Irfan Pathan on Becoming Team India Head Coach

Irfan Pathan expressed his interest in taking up the role of India’s head coach in the future. Speaking to Revsportz, Pathan said that he wants to see growth within the squad as a coach.

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"Oh yes, definitely, because I like seeing growth happen. Sitting back growth and watching growth happen, being involved in that, is something that growth gives me a lot of fun," Pathan said.

Following Ravi Shastri’s departure, India backed Pathan's former teammates to coach the team. The side clinched the 2024 T20 World Cup under Rahul Dravid. With Gautam Gambhir at the helm, India lifted the 2025 Champions Trophy.

I Have Seen Better in Technical Terms of Coaching - Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan also spoke about the coaching influence of John Wright, under whom he made his India debut in 2003. Pathan acknowledged that there are technically stronger coaches but said that Wright’s style inspired him. Pathan added that when the time is right, he will take up a coaching role.

"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, get involved a lot amongst other things," Pathan stated.

"I have seen better in technical terms of coaching, but his style is something else. 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," he added.

Irfan Pathan’s Heroics in the T20 World Cup 2007

Irfan Pathan secured the Man of the Match award in the 2007 World T20 final against Pakistan by taking three crucial wickets to secure India’s victory in Johannesburg.

He is among three Indian bowlers to achieve a Test hat-trick. The former cricketer is the first in the world to do so in the opening over of a match. He delivered an all-round performance to help India secure a win at Perth in 2008, post the controversial Monkeygate scandal

Pathan last represented India in the 2012 T20World Cup. The pacer last played an IPL match in 2017. Notably, he has not taken any coaching role in the IPL so far.

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