Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has come up with a bold suggestion for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), asking the franchise to reinstate Virat Kohli as captain for the upcoming seasons.
According to Harbhajan, Kohli possesses the perfect blend of intent, commitment and aggression to take the team forward.
Kohli is the leading run-getter in the ongoing IPL, having amassed 661 runs from 13 innings at an impressive strike rate of 155.16 with one hundred and five half-centuries.
Despite being placed fifth in the team standings with 12 points from 13 matches, RCB remain in contention for the playoffs.
"If they don't qualify, they should look to get some Indian guy. Why not bring Virat Kohli back as captain. As Dhoni has a lot of impact in Chennai, Virat Kohli is a big leader, he knows the kind of cricket they need to play," Harbhajan said in the latest episode of the Star Sports' Press Room.
"Now they are playing with a lot of aggression, lot of intent and that is what Virat Kohli brings. I would like to see Virat Kohli leading the side going forward."
Recently, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka’s public outburst at team skipper KL Rahul became the talk of the town.
Sharing his two cents on that episode, Harbhajan said: "There can be differences between captain and the management but the talks should be behind doors which is better for everyone. The talks should have been inside the dressing room. Whatever talks are going on, it is not good for the team's atmosphere. The timing was also not right."
Harbhajan cited the example of Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan to make his point.
"KKR is a great unit, huge fan of Khan sahaab. Hats off to that guy, he just doesn't interfere at all when it comes to cricket. Their dressing room looks very secure. That's what a good mentor does, wherever he goes, ensure that everyone is on the same page and play as one unit. A happy team is a winning team," he remarked.
Harbhajan Singh also opined that the change of captaincy didn't augur well for Mumbai Indians.
"Cricket is a team game, we win together we lose together, not a single individual can win you a tournament. You have to do well collectively and that didn't happen. Of course, there were a lot of issues with captaincy change, we heard people were not willing to accept Hardik Pandya as captain.
"These are all rumours but they didn't play like Mumbai Indians. They didn't play well collectively as a team," he said.
Harbhajan was effusive in praise of Rajasthan Royals (RR) leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal's performance in the ongoing IPL.
"He (Chahal) is the only bowler who is bowling like a spinner. He is spinning the ball, he's got flight, he's got variation and using it very wisely. When I look at him bowling and other spinners, there is a vast difference."
The former India off-spinner also highlighted the impact of MS Dhoni in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) side.
"I still believe that Dhoni has a lot of impact. The game at Wankhede he scored 20 odd runs and that was the difference in the end. What else do you need, his guidance, he delivers when it matters the most," Harbhajan stated.
(With PTI Inputs)
