Harbhajan Singh backs Rahul Dravid as Team India coach

Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has backed his former teammates Rahul Dravid and Zaheer Khan to take over as the coach of the Indian cricket team. The position for a coach has been vacant ever since the contract of Ravi Shastri expired and the fact that the Board wasn’t looking for a team director. Rahul Dravid’s stint as a coach has been highly successful with the former Indian batsman serving as the coach for the India ‘A’ side as well as the U19 side that reached the final of the World Cup earlier this year.

Zaheer Khan has served as the skipper as well as the bowling mentor for his IPL franchise, the Delhi Daredevils. Both Dravid and Zaheer are involved with the Delhi Daredevils at the moment.

“If you ask me, then I would like to see Rahul Dravid as India coach and Zaheer Khan as our bowling coach. I believe they can make a difference with their experience. But this is my opinion. There are people who will decide on this matter,” Harbhajan told media persons during a promotional event, here today.

Speaking about Virat Kohli’s choice of Daniel Vettori, Harbhajan stated that he too could be a good choice.

Also, read – Virat Kohli confirms talking to Daniel Vettori for India’s coaching role

“Yes, Vettori can also be a good choice. I believe between these three, anyone could be a good choice,” India’s third highest wicket-taker in Tests said.

“Well, his dedication to the game has been exemplary. He is batting in a different league altogether. He has set the benchmark higher with his fitness standards. Not only juniors, I believe seniors like me are now hitting the gym for the extra workout following Virat’s footsteps. He has been an inspiration for all of us with his training routines. Luckily against Mumbai Indians, we planned well and got him out quickly,” said Harbhajan.

“Well, you can train, improve your fitness and wait for your chances. Unfortunately, my chance never came. But you have to keep working hard. I still have a lot of cricket left in me,” he said.

When asked about the chances of the probable playoffs spot, Harbhajan said: “My prediction will be MI, Sunrisers Hyderabad, KKR and RCB.” Harbhajan is open to the idea of Day/Night Test matches. “Unless you try it out, you can’t really judge if it would work or not. I have never bowled with a pink ball so I can’t really say how it would work for a spinner,” concluded Harbhajan.