Former India fast bowler Ashish Nehra has said he has no ambition to become the head coach of the Indian cricket team, although he would consider the opportunity a “great honour and privilege” if it came his way in the future.

The 46-year-old, who is currently the head coach of Gujarat Titans, said he does not plan his career around future roles and remains satisfied with his present position. Nehra also reflected on India’s defeats in the 2003 and 2023 ODI World Cup finals, saying he does not dwell on past losses or carry regrets.

Nehra Says He Does Not Plan Future Roles

Nehra was asked about his coaching ambitions while speaking at the Cricket Association of Bengal’s annual awards ceremony in Kolkata on Monday.

Responding to the possibility of one day becoming India’s head coach, Nehra said he does not view the role as a career target.

“First thing first, I will not use the word ambition. I never plan. Yes, it will be a great honour and a privilege, but I never plan things like that. We’ll see in the future. No, no ambition. I’m very happy where I am,” Nehra said.

He has emerged as one of the more successful coaches in the Indian Premier League after guiding Gujarat Titans to the title in their debut season in 2022. The franchise reached the final again in 2023.

Gujarat Titans’ Success Is A Team Effort

Despite Gujarat Titans’ achievements under his coaching, Nehra said he does not believe the success of a team should be attributed to an individual coach or player.

He said captains and coaches often become closely associated with a team’s victories, particularly in India, but argued that such credit overlooks the collective nature of sport.

“When it comes to GT, lots of people say like you have done well in coaching. It’s not me; it’s about the team. Yes, when your captain, when your coach is always associated, that’s the way it goes, especially in India, but I’m dead against it.”

“When it comes to team sport, it should not be like Shubman Gill won, or Nehra won, but it should be GT won.”

Nehra also highlighted the demands of the India coaching job and joked that he would need to discuss the matter with his wife before accepting such an offer because of the extensive travel involved.

“If I get an offer, I will check with my wife first because it is eight to nine months of travel,” he said.

No Regrets Over 2003 World Cup Final Loss

Nehra also looked back at India’s defeat against Australia in the 2003 ODI World Cup final at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. He was part of India’s campaign but said he does not carry regrets about the loss.

“Not really. What’s gone is gone. It’s always a good learning. It was not the only final I played, and we lost. I played some other finals also, and we lost. Every time you don’t win, yes, as a player, you are always gutted when you look back, but it’s not only me.”

“There are so many players, I am sure, in international cricket, who have lost more finals than the final we were discussing.”

Nehra compared the 2003 defeat with India’s loss to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad. Australia won the match by six wickets after India were bowled out for 240.

Nehra Compares 2003 And 2023 Final Defeats

India had dominated the 2023 World Cup before losing the final, and Nehra said the team’s performance during that campaign had been even more commanding than India’s run in the 2003 tournament.

“The whole tournament, we were playing well, in the 2023 50-over World Cup in India, our team was no different, and exactly the final we lost in Ahmedabad.”

“In fact, we were more dominating than we were in 2003, but that’s part and parcel of the game. I never look back, and I’m not somebody who regrets too much. I always look forward.”

For Nehra, the two World Cup defeats underline the unpredictability of the game, with even dominant teams capable of falling short in a final. The former pacer said his approach has been to take lessons from setbacks rather than dwell on them.

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