Following India's recent 0-2 Test series defeat at home against South Africa, former India captain Kapil Dev refrained from directly endorsing the idea of appointing separate coaches for different formats.
Kapil Dev on split coaching for Team India
When asked whether adopting a split-coaching structure—where one coach manages red-ball cricket and another handles white-ball cricket, could resolve India's recent struggles in home Tests, Kapil Dev emphasised that the BCCI should instead adopt whatever coaching arrangement they believe will best serve the interests of Indian cricket overall.
"I don't know... I can't answer that. You have to really work something like that in your mind and say what should happen. Whatever is good for cricket, I think BCCI should do it," Kapil said during a gold event.
Kapil Dev on player priorities in T20 era
Addressing the question of whether the increasing financial draw of global T20 leagues has diminished the prestige of national representation, Kapil Dev offered a pragmatic view. He stated that the choice ultimately boils down to individual preference, acknowledging that each player assesses and weighs their priorities—between national duty and the lucrative opportunities of T20 leagues—differently.
"Everybody loves money, but some players feel that is very important. I still feel playing for India is more important than playing IPL. But everybody is individual, they have their own thought process. Good luck to them."
When questioned about whether he favored any specific format of the game, he responded by saying he holds no particular preference, stating that he simply enjoys cricket in all its forms—be it Test matches, One-Day Internationals, or T20s.
"I just love cricket. Doesn't matter even two balls cricket or 100 balls or 100 overs or 10 overs... cricket is cricket. See golf is golf, whatever format you play, end of the day you enjoy golf."
Kapil dismisses difficulty of modern sport
The 1983 World Cup-winning captain then strongly rejected the assertion that being an athlete is significantly tougher in the current social-media era compared to his own playing days.
"No, it's always the same. It was difficult then, it is difficult now. It was easy then and it is easy now. Your mindset is more important," he continued.
He concluded his remarks by offering a light-hearted comment when he was asked specifically about the recent performances of key players, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
"Good luck, they should play golf also," quipped Kapil," he concluded.