Dravid and Zaheer are my choice of Indian coach: Harbhajan

Senior India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh today said former captain Rahul Dravid is ideal to be the next chief coach of the Indian cricket team with Zaheer Khan as the bowling coach.
"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.
Asked about Virat Kohli recommending Daniel Vettori's name, Harbhajan said that the New Zealander can also be a good choice.

"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.
Talking about Virat Kohli, Harbhajan admitted that he is batting in a different league.
"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 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.

There was a slight hurt evident in his voice when he spoke about repeatedly being ignored during India's string of Twenty20 matches till World T20.

"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.
Asked about four teams for the Play offs in the IPL, Harbhajan said: "My prediction will be MI, Sunrisers Hyderabad, KKR and RCB."
Harbhajan is open to the idea of Day/Night Test matches.
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Asked if he had any advice for Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan said: "I don't think Ashwin needs my advice. I wish him all the luck and hopefully he continues to be outstanding like he has been in past one year."

However, Harbhajan believes that Amit Mishra shouldn't be judged by his Duleep Trophy performance.
"Look at the runs being scored in Duleep Trophy. Mishra is a good bowler and I don't think being slow through the air should be a problem.
"If you observe, Mishra bowled on first two days when the pitch was at its flattest best and that too against Pujara and Gambhir. Agreed that Jadeja bowled better but he bowled on third, fourth and fifth days when the pitch had wear and tear."
Harbhajan wants spinners to challenge themselves on fourth and fifth day pitches where teams press for wins.

"The length that you bowl on first day's final session is different from length that you bowl between lunch and tea on fourth day. Similarly if the batsman is not able to read my doosra, I will continue bowling that. But if he is reading me well, my thinking needs to change."
Although he didn't comment on whether four or five bowler theory should be used , Harbhajan's parting shot was: "One should always play their four best bowlers and fifth bowler should be someone who can give you 8-10 overs.