Gautam Gambhir’s India have not been the best of performers in the longest format of the game for the last year. Not only have they slipped from the top position in the ICC Men’s Test team rankings, but they have also lost their first red-ball series on home ground after almost a decade.
Ever since Gautam Gambhir, the new coach, took over the coaching duties for India, he has been exceptionally successful in the white-ball formats, but India have sunk in the longer format.
India started off the Gautam Gambhir era with a win over Bangladesh in the Test series, but was immediately handed a huge jolt in the form of a clean sweep in the home Test series against New Zealand. This was followed by their loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, as India lost their grip on the trophy after many years.
India, as a result of these losses, were knocked out of the WTC Finals in 2025. They are currently playing against England in the new WTC cycle and are trailing back 1-2 to the hosts before the fourth match commences at Manchester.
Harbhajan Singh calls for split coaching in India
Considering India’s back-to-back poor performances in the red-ball format, it seems evident that Gautam Gambhir’s strategies are not paying off in the longest format of the game.
The orthodox ideas are often disregarded by Gautam Gambhir, as he has his own copybook of the game, which does not often comply with the standards set for Test cricket.
Now, a former teammate of the Indian coach, ex-spinner Harbhajan Singh, has a suggestion for the BCCI, asking them to split coaching duties in red-ball and white-ball formats.
“I feel if it can be implemented, there is nothing wrong in it. You have different teams and different players for formats. If we can do it, it’s a good option. It will reduce the workload for everyone, including the coaches. So if it can happen, it isn’t a bad option,” he said in an interaction with India Today.
“Because your coach also needs time to prepare for a series. Like five Tests against Australia, then in England, then elsewhere. So the coach can prepare and set out what his team should be. The same goes for a white-ball coach. He will need time to prepare as well,” added the former spinner.
Gautam Gambhir fails to replicate white-ball success in red-ball cricket
Gautam Gambhir made his debut as India’s coach after a successful season for the Kolkata Knight Riders, where he led them to their third IPL title as a mentor to the side.
Gambhir assumed the role of India’s head coach after former coach Rahul Dravid stepped down following a successful ICC T20 World Cup campaign in 2024. His dominance since then has been cemented in the T20I and ODI formats.
He oversaw India’s Champions Trophy victory, as he has a great record in limited-overs cricket, with 13 wins and 2 defeats in T20I games and 8 wins, 2 defeats, and a tie in the 11 ODI matches.
Harbhajan Singh among Indian legends to deny match against Pakistan
Harbhajan Singh, the former Indian spinner, might have retired from the Indian national side, but he continues to play for India in the World Championship of Legends. He was part of the WCL Indian Legends team that won the title last season.
Now, a match scheduled this season between India and Pakistan in the WCL had to be cancelled after several players like Harbhajan Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, Irfan, and Yusuf Pathan decided not to play against Pakistan, owing to the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.