Former Indian captain and commentator Sunil Gavaskar advised Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises to appoint former Indian players as assistant coaches, highlighting the importance of the move.
In his exclusive column for Sportstar, Sunil Gavaskar pointed out that several Indian players in the IPL may not be comfortable speaking or understanding English. He stressed that an Indian assistant coach can play a crucial role in translating an overseas coach’s instructions accurately, ensuring the players understand the message clearly.
“Every franchise squad invariably has more Indian players, as only four overseas players can play in the XI. Plenty of the Indian players come from the interiors of the country, where English is not widely spoken. Therefore, when an overseas coach is speaking, much of what he says goes over the heads of these young players,” Gavaskar wrote on Sportstar.
“Here, it makes perfect sense for the franchises to hire an Indian as an assistant coach who can translate and convey what the overseas coach is saying. It is easier for the youngsters to approach an Indian coach who can speak their language, empathise with them, and help them overcome the nerves and anxiety of playing in front of the huge crowds that the IPL attracts,” he wrote.
Gavaskar also suggested former India cricketers Praveen Kumar, Piyush Chawla and Balwinder Singh Sandhu as potential candidates for assistant coaching roles in IPL 2027, stating that their inclusion could benefit the respective franchises.
“Names that readily come to mind include Praveen Kumar, a terrific swing bowler who cleverly mixed his deliveries and bowled the occasional bouncer to keep the batter guessing, and Piyush Chawla, another smart bowler who was part of the 2011 World Cup-winning team. If age is not a factor, Balwinder Singh Sandhu, too, has a deep knowledge not just of swing bowling but of the game itself,” Gavaskar concluded.
