The contrasting fortunes of the Indian cricket team across formats under head coach Gautam Gambhir have ignited a fresh debate: should India adopt separate coaches for red-ball and white-ball cricket? Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has now shared his nuanced perspective on the matter, suggesting patience while not entirely ruling out the model for the future.
Harbhajan's Call for Patience and Context
Speaking to ANI, Harbhajan Singh, a longtime former teammate of Gambhir, emphasized the immense pressure and year-round commitment required for the high-profile role. "It is not that easy to become a coach of India," he stated, highlighting the continuous travel, involvement in team selections, and constant focus on results that define the job.
He pointed to the fickle nature of public and expert opinion, driven by on-field outcomes. "In India, it is our tradition that if the team plays well, everyone is quiet, but as soon as the team plays poorly, we get on top of the coach," Harbhajan observed, urging for a more measured approach in evaluating Gambhir's tenure.
The Case For and Against a Split
Harbhajan's comments come against a backdrop of mixed results. Under Gambhir's leadership, India clinched the ICC Champions Trophy and maintained a dominant streak in T20 International series wins. However, the Test team has faced significant turbulence, including a stunning 3-0 whitewash in New Zealand that ended a long-standing unbeaten run at home, and more recently, a 2-0 series loss to South Africa.
This disparity in performance is what fueled the split-coaching suggestions. However, Harbhajan believes a radical change is not immediately warranted. "If you feel you need to split the coaching... then there is no need to do so for now. But over time, if needed, you should definitely do it. There is nothing wrong with that," he elaborated, framing it as a potential strategic option rather than a pressing necessity.
Gambhir's Fiery Response to Critics
The suggestion of divided coaching responsibilities has clearly irked head coach Gautam Gambhir himself. After India's ODI series victory over South Africa in early January 2026, Gambhir launched a strong rebuttal. He specifically took aim at an "IPL team owner" who had publicly advocated for the split-coaching model.
"It is very important for people to stay in their domain. Because if we don't go into someone's domain, then they also don't have any right to come into our domain," Gambhir asserted, defending his and the team's space from external criticism. His reaction underscores the sensitivity of the topic within the team's leadership.
As Indian cricket navigates this phase, the debate hinges on balancing immediate results with long-term structural planning. While stalwarts like Harbhajan Singh advocate for stability and time for Gambhir's methods to fully manifest, the conversation about specialized coaching for a crammed international calendar is unlikely to fade away, waiting to be reignited by the team's next major result.
