Cricket News

‘They can work together…’ – Harbhajan Singh backs former pacer to join hands with Rahul Dravid in T20Is

Ever since India crashed out of the 20-20 World Cup 2022 in the knockouts against England in the knockouts, fans have been claiming that the Indian coach Rahul Dravid must be sacked, at least from the T20I format, given that the former Indian cricketer has been doing well in the other formats. 

As things stand, Harbhajan Singh, the former Indian cricketer, claimed that Ashish Nehra must be given the responsibility to coach team India in the shortest format of the game. Further, Harbhajan claimed that the former pacer has enough experience to guide the team to glory. 

For the unversed, Nehra was the head coach of the Gujarat franchise who won the Indian T20 League 2022 and eventually went on to lift the title in their first-ever appearance in the T20 extravaganza under the leadership of Hardik Pandya. 

Ashish and Rahul can work together: Harbhajan Singh

Further, Harbhajan claimed that the duo can work together in the shortest format if removing Rahul could prove to be ineffective. The former off-spinner added that Nehra is well aware of the format and claimed that he could do well, if the opportunity is provided. 

“He [Nehra] knows this better than – with all due respect – Rahul. We [Dravid and he] 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 was quoted as saying. 

“With such an arrangement [split coaching], 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 added. As things stand, there have been reports claiming that the former Indian cricketer MS Dhoni might be brought into the T20I setup as well, in some capacity.