Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has suggested that the Indian cricket team should consider appointing a separate coach for the T20I format. With talks of split captaincy and split coaching in the air, the idea of appointing a coach for the shortest format has gained traction.
After India’s disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia and the Asia Cup 2022, the team management has been considering personnel changes. During a session with The Indian Express, Harbhajan Singh suggested two names who could take up the role of T20 coach.
Harbhajan opined that a separate coach for the T20 format would bring in a different approach and mindset to the team. He cited England’s success with former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum as an example. Harbhajan suggested that former cricketers Virender Sehwag or Ashish Nehra, who has worked with Gujarat Titans, could be ideal for the job.
“The coach knows that focus is on T20 cricket. Say if Ashish Nehra is the T20 coach, then he knows that his job is to make the Indian team champions in the T20 format, and Rahul Dravid knows he has to work on how the Indian team can be No.1 in Tests and ODIs,” Harbhajan added.
Harbhajan emphasized the need for the Indian team to play with more intent in the T20 format, especially with the 2023 ODI World Cup around the corner. He stated that the team needs to focus on the specific demands of T20 cricket and that one or two players cannot win the tournament alone. Harbhajan suggested that eight to nine players must perform at the same time for the team to have a chance of winning the T20 World Cup.
