Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has made a bold statement in the context of the changes in the Indian T20I side. The 2011 World Cup-winning player feels that team should appoint Ashish Nehra as a coach in T20Is as he has played the game more recently and is better suited.
“Ashish and Rahul can work together to build this team for the 2024 World Cup,” Harbhajan Singh on India’s coaching duties
India’s exit from the T20 World Cup 2022 following a 10-wicket loss in the semi-final against England, they have come under a lot of scrutiny. Indian players failed to step up on the big occasion and couldn’t handle the pressure, which led to a poor outing in the tournament.
It was the same story for them, which had been since 2014, as they dominated the league stage and succumbed to pressure in the knockout stage. Many have urged them to take some harsh calls, dropping the senior player and bringing a new set of players to the side.
Following the loss, not only players but head coach Rahul Dravid has come under scrutiny as many fans and pundits have raised calls to sack him as the coach. Ever since he took the leadership role, India has failed to win big games. They lost a series in South Africa, a Test against England, Asia Cup 2022 and now T20 World Cup 2022.
When Rahul Dravid takes a Break WHY does VVS becomes the coach of Team India…what is the logic…??? Logically Vikram Rathore should be the head coach who is a Permanent member of the coaching staff and almost like an assistant coach @BCCI
— Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) November 18, 2022
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With all the talks going around, Harbhajan Singh has given a unique suggestion. The former Indian off-spinner feels that India should try to bring Ashish Nehra into the coaching setup and he along with Rahul Dravid can do wonders. Speaking to PTI, he said:
“Someone who has played the game more recently is better suited for the coaching job in T20s. I am not saying you remove Rahul from T20. Ashish and Rahul can work together to build this team for the 2024 World Cup. With such an arrangement, it is easy for Rahul as well who can take a break as well like he did for New Zealand tour and Ashish can do the job in his absence.
Harbhajan Singh wants different players in different formats; wants the team to change their approach
Harbhajan Singh also suggested that India should have different players for all three formats and said that they need to change their approach in T20Is. Adding to this, he said:
“That is fine. That works for me. The approach has to change in the T20 format. The first six overs are important. If that doesn’t happen you will be depended on Hardik or Surya for scoring 50 off 20. If they don’t fire, you will end up with a below par total.
India will be next seen in action when they will lock horns with New Zealand in the three-match ODI series, starting 25th November.
Harbhajan Singh wants Ashish Nehra as India's T20I Coach as he feels Nehra knows T20 Cricket better than Rahul Dravid.
England changed their approach and they've won two Wolrd Cups. T20 has to be played like T20 not like ODI's. pic.twitter.com/F4IhXCZatX
— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) November 23, 2022
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