Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has suggested that the Indian cricket team consider split coaching, with different coaches for red-ball and white-ball formats. This recommendation comes amid concerns about Gautam Gambhir's performance as head coach in Test cricket, despite his success in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).

Since taking over as India's head coach in July 2024, Gambhir has seen impressive results in white-ball cricket. India won the Champions Trophy 2025 and has remained undefeated in T20I series under his guidance, securing series victories against Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh, and England. In ODIs, India has won eight matches, lost two, and tied one out of eleven played. However, Gambhir's record in Test cricket has been less impressive.

Under Gambhir, India has only won 4 out of 13 Test matches, losing 8 and drawing 1. This includes a 0-3 series loss against New Zealand, a 1-3 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, and currently trailing 1-2 in the series against England. While they secured a 2-0 victory against Bangladesh, the overall Test performance has raised concerns.

Harbhajan Singh believes that split coaching could alleviate the workload on coaches and allow for more specialized focus. He pointed out that the players and teams often differ across formats, making separate coaching beneficial. "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 workload for everyone, including the coaches. So if it can happen, it isn't a bad option," Harbhajan said.

Historically, India has not employed split coaching, though VVS Laxman has occasionally deputized as coach for certain tours. The concept of split coaching isn't new to international cricket; England, for example, has seen positive outcomes since implementing this strategy. Harbhajan has previously suggested names like Virender Sehwag or Ashish Nehra for T20 coaching roles, emphasizing the need for coaches who understand the specific demands of each format.

Aakash Chopra, another former Indian cricketer, has also voiced concerns about Gambhir's Test record, noting the mounting pressure due to underwhelming results in red-ball cricket. He highlighted that despite the selectors supporting Gambhir's requests, consistent results in Test cricket are crucial.

The current coaching staff includes Gautam Gambhir as the head coach and Morne Morkel as the fast bowling coach. Sitanshu Kotak recently replaced Abhishek Nayar as the batting coach. As India navigates its cricketing future, the debate around split coaching and its potential benefits is likely to continue.