Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh suggests split coaching for India

Dubai: Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has suggested that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) consider adopting a split coaching system to help ease the burden on current head coach Gautam Gambhir. According to Harbhajan, appointing separate coaches for red-ball and white-ball formats makes sense given the distinct nature of the formats and the differing team compositions.

“If it can be implemented, there’s nothing wrong with it,” Harbhajan told India Today. “You have different teams and players for each format. If we can manage it, it’s a good option—it reduces the workload for everyone, including the coaching staff.”

Gambhir, who took over as head coach following India’s T20 World Cup 2024 victory, has delivered strong performances in limited-overs cricket. Under his guidance, India has won the Champions Trophy and remained unbeaten in T20I series, securing wins against Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh, and England. His T20I coaching record stands at 13 wins and just 2 losses.

In ODIs, Gambhir has guided India to eight victories, two defeats, and one tie in 11 matches. However, his red-ball record has been less impressive. Although India beat Bangladesh in a Test series, they were whitewashed at home by New Zealand and later suffered a 1-3 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Currently, India trails England 1-2 in the ongoing Test series, with the final match set to begin in Manchester on July 23. Overall, under Gambhir’s Test tenure, India has won only 4 of 13 matches, lost 8, and drawn one.

Harbhajan emphasised that coaches need adequate time to prepare for series in each format and that expecting a single individual to handle all responsibilities year-round isn’t sustainable.

“Your coach needs time to prepare for major series—whether it’s five Tests against Australia or a white-ball series elsewhere,” he said. “Each format requires planning and preparation. If one coach is overworked throughout the year, it affects performance. He has a family too, and constant travel is tough.”

“In my opinion, having separate coaches for red-ball and white-ball cricket is a practical and smart move,” Harbhajan concluded.