A coy Virender Sehwag does not want to lead the Indian cricket team but his feisty teammate Harbhajan Singh does, saying it’s a challenge worth a try.
Sehwag has already informed the selectors about his reluctance and requested them to groom someone for future.
Harbhajan, on his part, said incumbent Mahendra Singh Dhoni is doing an excellent job at the helm but he made no bones about his own ambition, saying he would not shy away if Team India captaincy ever comes his way.
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“Whoever plays for India wants to lead the side at some stage and it’s no different with me. At the end of the day, it’s a huge honour for a player,” Harbhajan said.
The star off-spinner, however, gave thumbs-up to Dhoni’s captaincy and said, “At the moment, Dhoni is doing a fantastic job and there is no doubt that he is a brilliant skipper.”
Harbhajan was seen in the captain’s role in the recent BCCI Corporate Trophy where he led Air India Blue to the final and the spinner said he thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
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“Leading Air India Blue in Corporate Trophy was obviously a good experience. Of course you learn more and more with time but I certainly enjoyed it. It was a challenge for me which I accepted and enjoyed to the hilt,” said the 29-year-old offie.
Incidentally, Dhoni played under Harbhajan in the tournament and also rolled his arms for three unsuccessful overs in the final.
Talking about captaincy, one thing that baffles Harbhajan is the myth that bowlers make inferior captains and more often than not, the job goes to a batsman.
“I don’t know why batsmen are traditionally preferred for the captain’s job. I mean if you have good leadership skills, it should not matter whether you are a batsman or a bowler.
Your ability to lead should be the lone criterion,” he said.
“Imran Khan was primarily a bowler when he took over captaincy and did a great job with Pakistan. And look at (New Zealand captain Daniel) Vettori today. He has been doing so well for quite a while. So how come people perceive captaincy a job beyond the bowlers?” Harbhajan asked.
Harbhajan acknowledged captaincy is a full-time responsibility when he would have to plan for others as well but said he can handle the pressure that comes with the job.