'Ravichandran Ashwin' - Cheteshwar Pujara's answer to future India head coach

Veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara feels that former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin would be the perfect candidate for the position of India's head coach in the future. The ex-India cricketer announced his retirement from international cricket in December 2024 during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under.

Pujara's response came in a candid Q&A session in which the seasoned batter was asked who could most likely become India's next head coach. Pujara did not seem to hesitate and replied “Ravichandran Ashwin” on a show on ESPNcricinfo.

Ashwin is highly acclaimed as one of the most tactically adept players when it comes to outthinking opposition batters. There have been several instances in the past where Ashwin has completely foxed the opposition with his tactical nous. A lot of ex-cricketers hold him in high regard when it comes to remembering his on-field prowess and strategic superiority.

Speaking of Ashwin's international career, he has played 106 Tests, 116 ODIs and 65 T20Is for India. He ended his 14-year long international stint with 765 wickets (537 in Tests, 156 in ODIs and 72 in T20Is). Ashwin also played a handful of vital knocks with the bat. He has scored 14 fifties and six hundreds in Test cricket. Ashwin's last international match came during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Apart from an underwhelming homecoming in the 2025 Indian Premier League, the 38-year-old has regularly put in some incredible performances in the IPL. He has played for five franchises up until IPL 2025. He had been an integral component of Chennai Super Kings from 2009 to 2015. Not only that, but he possesses a sublime economy rate of 7.20 across 221 matches, which makes him a genuine contributor on the field.

During the same discussion, the Saurashtra batter felt Virat Kohli held the potential to finish will all major records under his belt. Kohli, who has now retired from T20Is and Tests, is considered as one of India's greatest cricketers to have ever graced the game. His final international appearance came in the final of the 2025 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy.