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Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh has opened up on taking up the coaching role for Team India in near future. The former Indian spinner spoke about taking up coaching roles with Team India after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) invited applications for position of men’s national team head coach, with Rahul Dravid’s extended tenure coming to an end with the T20 World Cup 2024.
Speaking with ANI, Harbhajan Singh said that he would love to give back to the sport which gave him recognition. “I do not know if I would apply. Coaching India is about man management, not about teaching players how to drive and pull. They know it very well. You can give some guidance to them. Cricket has given me so much and if I get a chance to give it back, I would be more than happy,” he said.
Former India cricketer and the ‘Wall of Test cricket’ in India, Rahul Dravid currently holds the post. The former Indian batter succeeded Ravi Shastri after the T20 World Cup 2021. However, he was given an extension after the ODI World Cup 2023, and the T20 World Cup 2024 in West Indies and the USA will be his last.
Speaking about BCCI’s application for the Team India head coach, the potential head coaches should fulfil the criterion stated by the board including a minimum of 30 Test matches or 50 ODIs being played. Moreover, a former cricketer with a previous experience of head coach of a full Test playing nation for a minimum of two years, among other requirements.
India at T20 World Cup 2024
The Rohit Sharma-led Team India will fly out for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in two batches, on May 25 and May 26 respectively. The Men in Blue are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Ireland, Canada and co-hosts USA. The side will begin their campaign against Ireland on June 5 at the Nassau County International Cricketer Stadium in New York.
The highly anticipated match against their arch-rivals Pakistan is scheduled to be played on June 9 at the same venue.
