'You have different teams and...': Harbhajan Singh bats for split-coaching system as Gautam Gambhir fails to replicate white-ball brilliance in India's Test setup

India head coach Gautam Gambhir started his tenure with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after the Rohit Sharma-led side's T20 World Cup 2024 win, and the former player has seen his side cement dominance in T20Is and ODIs. He oversaw India’s Champions Trophy victory. He has 13 wins and two defeats as a coach in T20Is. On the other hand, in ODIs, he has eight wins, two defeats and a tie from 11 games.

However, India's 2011 ODI World Cup-winning star Gambhir is facing a lot of criticism because Team India has not been up to the mark. They did defeat Bangladesh, but then after that got whitewashed by New Zealand, and lost to Australia at the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In the ongoing five-match Test series vs England, they trail 1-2.

Speaking to India Today, Harbhajan Singh had a suggestion for the BCCI, asking the board to use split-coaching in red-ball, white-ball formats.

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“I feel if it can be implemented, there is nothing wrong in it. You have different teams and different players for formats. If we can do it, it’s a good option. It will reduce workload for everyone, including the coaches. So if it can happen, it isn't a bad option,” he said.

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Harbhajan also felt that a coach needs time to prepare for a series in any format, and that it leads to a huge workload for any coach.

“Because your coach also needs time to prepare for a series. Like five Tests against Australia, then in England, then elsewhere. So the coach can prepare and set out what his team should be. The same goes for a white-ball coach. He will need time to prepare as well,” he said.

“If you overwork one coach for the whole year, he, too has a family and responsibilities. Traveling constantly with family isn’t easy. So yes, if you ask me, splitting red-ball and white-ball coaching is a good move," said Harbhajan,” he added.

Coming back to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, after defeating India in the third Test, England are currently leading 2-1 in the five-Test match series. The fourth Test match of the series will take place from 23-27 July at Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester.