T20 World Cup: AB de Villers should have been hired as India's mentor: Atul Wassan
India's shocking exit from the T20 World Cup raised several questions about the team's performance. They needed to hire the best people to prepare for the T20 World Cup and someone like AB de Villiers would have done the job, former India cricketer Atul Wasaan said on Friday.
"We can't have the same coaching staff for the T20 and Test cricket. You hire the best for the T20 format. Why didn't we hire AB de Villers for the T20 World Cup as a mentor? He could have guided the team better. He can tell the players a bit about manufacturing the shots," Wassan said.
"This game has proved again and again that you need a new breed. In 2007, we hardly had stars, the team was comprised of youngsters, they played freely and they won the title. We are relying too much on our bigger names to deliver all the time."
In his career, Wassan has played four Tests and nine ODIs.
"We also wrongly thought that the expertise of IPL will translate into the World Cup success. India is just faltering in big matches in do-or-die situations," he said.
The 54-year-old, who now works as an expert, is of the opinion that India should pick only the most suited players for the T20 format.
"We have five ex-captains and eight players who play Test format, competing in T20s. How can't we find another set of players for T20? You just can't have the same players. Just because they are big names you (the selectors) are playing them. I think we have to reset the button," he said.
"With Rohit Sharma, the age factor is there. He looks sluggish. The baggage of stardom is also there. It's high time that we plan for the next world cup from here on. We have become the new chokers in international cricket.
"The team needs to change its mindset and approach to do well in the T20 format."
(Inputs from PTI)
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