Harbhajan backs Dravid for head coach, Zaheer as bowling coach

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Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on Thursday backed his former skipper and legendary batsman Rahul Dravid to become the next India head coach, which has been lying vacant for more than a year following the departure of Zimbabwean Duncan Fletcher.

Harbhajan also suggested that recently-retired pacer Zaheer Khan will make a very good bowling coach for the national side.

"In my personal view, I definitely feel someone like (Rahul) Dravid will be a very good choice for the head coach. For the bowling department, Zaheer (Khan) fits the bill. But that is just what I feel as it all depends on the right people sitting in the BCCI to choose the coach," the Punjab tweaker told reporters during the launch of the 'Ballr' mobile sporting application here.

Dravid, who currently is the head coach of the India A and under-19 sides, is also the mentor of the Zaheer Khan-led Delhi Daredevils in the ongoing ninth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Speculation on Dravid's elevation to the top post gathered momentum after the Karnataka star guided the India colts to the final of the U-19 World Cup in January.

With star batsman Virat Kohli recently suggesting former New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori's name for India's head coach's job, Harbhajan said that the Kiwi star will turn out to be a good candidate.

"Daniel has been a great cricketer during his playing days. He has played a lot for New Zealand and got good knowledge of the game, he will definitely make a good candidate. But it all depends on the BCCI to choose whoever is good for Indian cricket," he said.

--IANS

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