Former Indian player Harbhajan Singh has said that India should also back a split coaching system that has been helping England. The Indian team has recently faced a rather forgettable loss in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. And, Harbhajan has opined that former Indian speedster, Ashish Nehra could be an ideal choice as coach of the Indian T20I side and could take the team forward in the T20 format as well.
However, Harbhajan Singh is currently in Abu Dhabi where he will be featured in the Abu Dhabi T10 League. He feels that Nehra, who recently retired from T20 cricket, could bring fortune for India.
While speaking on the sidelines of the event, he said to PTI (via ESPNCricinfo), Harbhajan Singh said, “In T20 format, you can have someone like Ashish Nehra who recently retired from the game. He [Nehra] knows this better than – with all due respect – Rahul. He (Dravid) has vast knowledge, but this is a tricky format. Someone who has played the game more recently is better suited for the coaching job in T20s. I am not saying you removed Rahul from T20. Ashish and Rahul can work together to build this team for the 2024 World Cup.”
Ashish Nehra guided Gujarat Titans to their maiden IPLtitle this year
However, Ashish Nehra announced his retirement from competitive cricket in 2017 while the Team India head coach Rahul Dravid retired way back in 2013. Nehra took charge of the Gujarat Titans earlier this year and guided the Titans to lift the title in their very first season as well. And, Harbhajan Singh felt that with split coaching, Dravid can also take a break as he did in New Zealand as well.
“With such an arrangement [split coaching], it is easy for Rahul as well, who can take a break as well, like he did for the New Zealand tour and Ashish can do the job in his absence.”
Harbhajan Singh also added that the batting approach of India has to change in T20Is and they cannot play T20Is like ODIs as well.
He said, “The approach has to change in the T20 format. If that doesn’t happen, you will be dependent on Hardik [Pandya] or Surya [Suryakumar Yadav] for scoring 50 off 20. If they don’t fire, you will end up with a below-par total. All the top three need to do is increase their strike rate. They have to score at least nine runs per over in the first 10-12 overs. They are quality players. The approach has to change.”
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