Pressure mounts after red-ball setbacks under Gambhir
India’s once-dominant Test record is now under scrutiny following two home series defeats in just over a year— a 0-3 loss to New Zealand in Oct/Nov 2024 and a 0-2 defeat against South Africa in Nov 2025. Both campaigns took place under Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as head coach, triggering renewed debate over whether Indian cricket should embrace a split coaching structure for different formats.
Gambhir’s critics have pointed to his white-ball credentials and relative inexperience in Test match strategy, especially during a transitional phase for the Indian side. These arguments have been amplified by the team’s recent failure to qualify for the World Test Championship final and its waning dominance at home — a stronghold for nearly two decades under captains like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma.
At the same time, Gambhir’s success in guiding India to the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy title in Dubai has strengthened his standing in the white-ball formats, where the Men in Blue continue to deliver consistent results.
Harbhajan Singh backs Gambhir amid growing criticism
Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has now weighed in on the coaching debate, offering public support for Gambhir while cautioning the BCCI against making hasty structural changes.
Speaking to ANI, Harbhajan emphasized the rigors of coaching India across all formats, stating, “It is not that easy to become a coach of India. To be a coach, you have to travel with the team for a whole year and keep yourself involved in the game. You have to be more engaged because there are multiple team selections, and you also need to focus on match results.”
Harbhajan argued that Gambhir deserves patience, particularly in a role that carries constant pressure and expectations. He also pushed back against the reactive nature of public sentiment toward coaching performances in India. “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,” he said.
In a pointed reminder of Gambhir’s past contributions, Harbhajan added, “Gautam Gambhir does not go there to play. When he was playing, he played well. He played very well for India.”
Split coaching debate resurfaces — but Harbhajan urges restraint
The idea of split coaching — with different coaches for red-ball and white-ball formats — has been floating within cricket circles for some time, particularly with the growing demands of the modern game. Proponents argue it allows specialists to focus on format-specific preparation and strategy.
However, Harbhajan advised against immediate changes, urging the BCCI to think long-term rather than act reactively. “Everyone needs to be patient. If you feel you need to split the coaching, such as adopting a policy of one white ball and one red ball, 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 said.
His comments signal a balanced position — cautioning against rushing into divided roles, while acknowledging the model could be valid in the future.
T20 World Cup could shape Gambhir’s future
With India set to host the ICC T20 World Cup as defending champions, the spotlight will soon return to Gambhir’s leadership in white-ball cricket. Another title win could help silence critics and reinforce confidence in a single coaching model — at least for now.
But any misstep in the tournament could reignite calls for a coaching overhaul. For the moment, Harbhajan’s message is clear: Gambhir deserves time, and the BCCI must resist pressure to make reactive decisions.
