“Ashish and Rahul can work together to build this team for the 2024 World Cup,” says Harbhajan Singh

Numerous concerns have been voiced over the present makeup of the Indian squad, the players, and the coaching staff ever since India’s semi-final loss to England in the just finished ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

Harbhajan Singh believes that Ashish Nehra should be a member of India’s T20 coaching staff since he is arguably more familiar with the shortest format than Rahul Dravid, who is now in charge.

“In T20 format you can have someone like Ashish Nehra who recently retired from the game. He knows this better than, with all due respect to Rahul, we have played together for so many years, he 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 remove Rahul from T20. Ashish and Rahul can work together to build this team for the 2024 World Cup,” Harbhajan told reporters.

T20 is a challenging format, according to Singh, who also stressed that he is not advocating Dravid be removed from T20 coaching but rather that Ashish Nehra work with Dravid on the game’s shortest format.

Nehra withdrew from the game in 2017 and led Gujarat Titans to their first IPL win earlier this year. “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,” he said.

“That is OK with me,” Harbhajan said when questioned about different players for different forms. Whether the current top three, Rohit Sharma, K L Rahul, and Virat Kohli continue their careers till the 2024 World Cup or not, the 42-year-old believes the Indian team’s attitude must alter.

“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,” he added.

“England changed their approach and they have won two World Cups. T20 has to be played like T20 not like ODIs,” said the veteran of 103 Tests.

In the absence of seniors, India fielded a younger top-three in New Zealand. “All the top-three need to do is increase their strike rate. It is tough when you bat at 110 or 120 strike and try to make 180. They have to score at least 9 runs per over in the first 10-12 overs.”

He said this about Kohli and Rohit continuing playing the shortest format: “I am no one to comment whether they would want to play or not. They are quality players if they can remain fit why not, provided the approach is different. Players can’t be changed overnight, the approach has to change.” Harbhajan added that Hardik Pandya should captain India in T20s after Rohit Sharma.

Talking about the Abu Dhabi T10 Tournament, Harbhajan said he is happy to be part of the league.

“I am really excited. Don’t know how many games I will play. It is a good format and shorter format compared to T20s. It is a faster format and good for the fans. Going forward, it could be something very big