Irfan Pathan wants to coach India in the future due to the team’s consistent growth. Irfan Pathan played for India across formats and was a part of the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning squad. Irfan Pathan made his India debut during the Australia tour way back in and went on to represent the national team in all formats. Irfan Pathan was part of the team that lifted the 2007 T20 World Cup title, having played a crucial role in the tournament. Irfan Pathan ended his career with 301 international wickets and 2821 runs for India.
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has revealed his desire to coach the Indian cricket team in the future. In an exclusive interview with RevSportz, Irfan Pathan reflected on his early days in international cricket and credited former coach John Wright for inspiring his outlook on coaching.
Irfan Pathan expresses his desire to coach Team India in future ahead of Asia Cup 2025
Former India bowler Irfan Pathan has expressed his wish to take up the head coach role of the national team in the future, adding that he would like to be involved in watching the team grow, and it should be a fun experience. After providing services as a player for years, Irfan Pathan has been active in a new role since his retirement. He has become a cricket expert on broadcasting channels as well as on his own YouTube channel.
Two of Irfan‘s former teammates, Rahul Dravid, the former India head coach and Gautam Gambhir, have since coached the Men in Blue, after Ravi Shastri’s departure at the end of the 2021 season. Notably, India lifted the T20 World Cup title last year under Dravid’s guidance and won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title during Gambhir’s coaching tenure.
Irfan Pathan also lauded John Wright, under whose tenure Pathan debuted in 2003 . John Wright, who was India’s coach from 2000 to 2005, played a key role in shaping the team during that period. Under his guidance, India shared the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy with Sri Lanka and reached the 2003 ODI World Cup final. Recalling Wright’s influence, Pathan said he enjoyed the idea of being part of a team’s growth.
“Oh yes, definitely, because I like seeing growth happen,” he said. “Sitting back and watching growth happen, being involved in that, is something that gives me a lot of fun. I would like to share something here, that I really liked the coaching style of John Wright.” Irfan said while speaking to RevSportz.
Pathan described the approach of Wright that impressed him the most.
“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. I have seen better in technical terms of coaching, but his style is something else,” Pathan recalled.
He further explained how Wright always kept the focus on the players, managing things from behind the scenes, something Pathan admires and hopes to emulate.
“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.
Talking about the possibility of India batter Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami playing the 2027 ODI World Cup, Pathan said:
“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.”
India’s next assignment is T20 Asia Cup 2025 in UAE. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side will start their campaign against UAE on September 10. They have been placed in Group B alongside Pakistan and Oman.
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