Harbhajan Singh calls for implementation of split coaching after Gautam Gambhir’s failure in Test cricket

Former player Harbhajan Singh said that India should try split coaching in Test cricket and shorter formats. Gautam Gambhir, the current head coach, has been successful in ODIs and T20Is, but the team has failed in Test cricket.

India have 13 victories and two defeats in T20Is with series wins over Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh, and England under Gambhir. In one-day internationals, the team has recorded 8 wins, two losses, and one tie from 11 contests. However, the situation is concerning in the longest format of the game.

After beating Bangladesh, India were whitewashed by New Zealand in a home Test series before going down to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The team is trailing 1-2 in the ongoing five-match Test series against England. The sub-continent team has won just 4 out of 13 Tests under Gambhir.

Speaking to India Today, Bhajji mentioned that it is not wrong to use different coaches in the five-day format and white-ball cricket, as the players are different.

“It can be implemented and there is nothing wrong in it. You have different players playing in different formats. It will be a good option if it can be introduced in the Indian cricket. It will also reduce the workload of the coaching staff,” he said.

Harbhajan mentioned that a coach needs time to prepare for a series. “Coach also needs time to come up with a plan for a series. We played five Tests in Australia and now in England. The coach can prepare and execute his plans. The same goes in white-ball cricket,” he added.

“The coach also has family and he can’t travel with them everywhere. Split coaching will be a good move,” he concluded.

Related