‘Tough when you bat at 110 or 120 strike-rate and try to make 180’ - Harbhajan Singh feels India needs to change approach, not players

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh felt that the men in blue need to change their approach in the T20 format and highlighted the importance of strike rate. Despite starting the recent ICC T20 World Cup 2022 as one of the favourites, India crashed out in the semi-finals against England and since then, there has been a lot of pondering about the team's approach in T20 format. 

Especially, with the top three batters KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli playing in a similar manner, it hasn’t helped the side while posting totals in big games. England who won the T20 World Cup 2022 recently, have been quite successful after changing their approach in the limited-overs format and Harbhajan explained the impact of the slow starts from the Indian top-order.

Players can't be changed overnight, the approach has to change: Harbhajan Singh 

Harbhajan noted how Hardik and Suryakumar Yadav have been put under pressure due to the powerplay being conservative and reckoned the example of England’s successful run since they changed their approach by going bang bang.

"The approach has to change in the T20 format. The first six overs are important. If that doesn't happen, you will be depended on Hardik [Pandya] or Surya [Suryakumar Yadav] for scoring 50 off 20. If they don't fire, you will end up with a below-par total.” Harbhajan told as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo. 

"England changed their approach and they have won two World Cups [including the 2019 ODI World Cup]. T20 has to be played like T20 not like ODIs." 

Harbhajan further felt that the senior trio of Rohit, Rahul and Kohli have to increase their strike rate and added that they are quality players who need to change their approach rather than being benched or left out.

“Talking specifically about the trio of Rohit, Rahul and Kohli. All the top three need to do is increase their strike rate. It is tough when you bat at 110 or 120 strike and try to make 180. They have to score at least nine runs per over in the first 10-12 overs.

"I am no one to comment whether they would want to play [T20Is] or not. They are quality players. If they can remain fit, why not, provided the approach is different. Players can't be changed overnight, the approach has to change," he added.