India should have hired AB de Villers as mentor for T20 World Cup: Wassan

“We can’t have the same coaching staff for the T20 and Test cricket,“ Wassan said

AB de Villiers. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

India 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 as he advocated the need to have completely different coaching staff for the shortest format.

Alex Hales and Jos Buttler ripped apart the Indian attack with consummate ease in the semifinal on Thursday, leading England to the final where they meet Pakistan on Sunday at the MCG.

Wassan said specialised coaching staff is required to guide the players in the slam-bang format.

"We can't have the same coaching staff for the T20 and Test cricket. You hire the best for 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 told PTI.

England most definitely have the batting line up to chase this down, they've proven that on a number of occasions, but I feel India's got this one. Just the thought of an India/Pakistan final makes my heart beat faster. Hardik & Ashwin to take the match winning poles imo

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) November 10, 2022

"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."

Wassan, who played four Tests and nine ODIs for India, said it's a wrong notion that excelling in IPL will guarantee success in international cricket.

"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 players only most suited players for 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 Ccup 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."