'Once we have selected Gautam Gambhir...': Jay Shah explains why India will not opt for separate coaches for different formats

Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah, who was never in favour of split coaching method even before the appointment of Gautam Gambhir's appointment as head coach, has explained the reasons behind India's decision to retain a single head coach for all formats of the game. Jay Shah clearly said that one needs to trust the coach hired for the role. If Gautam Gambhir has been hired and he is willing to coach all three formats, it’s not for him to say that the former India captain can’t coach a specific format, Jay stated.

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Jay Shah on split coaching

"We've to listen to the coach we recruit. Once we have selected Gautam Gambhir and if he is interested to coach in all three formats, who am I to say 'you can't coach a particular format'. More or less 70 per cent players are the same in all three formats," the 35-year-old told TOI. 

Several cricket teams have implemented split coaching structures to optimise performance in different formats. England has adopted this model, with Brendon McCullum as the red-ball coach and Marcus Trescothick serving as the interim white-ball coach. South Africa and Pakistan have also followed suit. While Jason Gillespie is taking care of Pakistan's red-ball format, Garry Kirsten is their white-ball head coach. In contrast, India have never adopted to split coaching method so far nor they are looking to in near future.

Gambhir recently succeeded Rahul Dravid as India’s head coach, following the conclusion of Dravid’s tenure last month. The 42-year-old Gambhir will lead Team India until December 2027, a period during which the team will compete in five ICC tournaments.

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Jay Shah further said that Team India possesses a strong pool of potential coaching candidates, indicating a sufficient bench strength in the coaching department.

"We have coaches from the NCA. When Rahul Dravid was taking a break, VVS Laxman used to step in," Shah added.

The BCCI is considering appointing a mental conditioning trainer for the Indian cricket team. Jay Shah has confirmed that the role may be filled by either a domestic or foreign expert.

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