Gautam Gambhir’s India has not been the best artist in the longest form of sports for the previous year. Not only have they slipped from the top position in the ICC Mains Test team rankings, but they have also lost their first red-ball series at the home ground after almost a decade.
Ever since Gautam Gambhir, the new coach, has handled coaching duties for India, it has been exceptionally successful in white-ball formats, but India has been submerged in the format for a long time.
India started the Gautam Gambhir era with a win over Bangladesh in the Test series, but was immediately given a major setback as a clean sweep in the home Test series against New Zealand. He then lost to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, as India lost their grip on the trophy after many years.
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As a result of these defeats, India was dropped from the WTC final in 2025. They are currently playing against England in the new WTC cycle and lagging the hosts 1-2 before the fourth match in Manchester.
Harbhajan Singh called for Split Coaching in India
Considering India’s back-to-back poor performance in the red-ball format, it seems clear that Gautam Gambhir’s strategies are not paying in the longest format of the game.
Orthodox views are often disregarded by Gautam Gambhir, as they have their own copybook of sports, which often does not comply with the standards set for Test cricket.
Now, former spinner Harbhajan Singh, a partner of a former team of Indian coach, has a suggestion for BCCI, asking them to divide coaching duties in red balls and white balls.
“I think if it can be implemented, nothing is wrong with it. You have separate teams and separate players for formats. If we can do it, it is a good option. It will reduce the workload for all including coaches. So if it can happen, it is not a bad option,” he said in a conversation with India today.
“Because your coach also requires time to prepare for a series. Like five tests against Australia, then in England, then elsewhere. So can prepare the coach and set what his team should be. The same white ball goes for the coach. He will also require time to prepare it,” the former spinner said.
Gautam Gambhir fails to repeat the success of white ball in red-ball cricket
Gautam Gambhir made his debut as India’s coach after a successful season for Kolkata Knight Riders, where he led him to his third IPL title as a patron in favor.
Gambhir played the role of India’s head coach after leaving the post after a successful ICC T20 World Cup campaign in 2024. Since then, his dominance has been cemented in T20i and ODI formats.
He inspected the victory of India’s Champions Trophy, as he has a great record in limited overs cricket, with T20I games and 8 wins with 13 wins and 2 defeats, 2 wins and a tie in 11 ODI matches.
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Harbhajan Singh among Indian legends to deny the match against Pakistan
Former Indian spinner, Harbhajan Singh, probably retired from the Indian national side, but 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, WCL was scheduled to have a match between India and Pakistan this season, when many players like Harbhajan Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, Irfan and Yusuf Pathan decided to play against Pakistan, which was not after the Pahgam attack.
