Following India's recent 2-0 Test series defeat against South Africa, Parth Jindal, co-owner of the Delhi Capitals IPL franchise, has publicly advocated for the appointment of a "specialist red ball coach" for the Indian national team. This call comes amid growing concerns over India's performance in Test cricket under the current head coach, Gautam Gambhir.
Jindal expressed his disappointment on social media, stating that the team's performance was nowhere near reflective of their potential in the red-ball format and emphasized the need for a specialist coach to address this. He highlighted the team's weakness at home, a sentiment echoed by numerous fans and cricket analysts.
Gambhir's tenure as head coach, which began in July 2024 after Rahul Dravid stepped down following India's T20 World Cup win, has faced scrutiny due to the team's struggles in Test cricket. While India started with a 2-0 series win against Bangladesh, they soon faced a 0-3 defeat against New Zealand, their first-ever home series whitewash of that magnitude. Subsequent performances, including a 1-3 loss in Australia, have further fueled concerns, despite a 2-2 draw in England with a young squad.
In response to the criticism, Gambhir has acknowledged the team's recent struggles but also pointed to successes in other formats, including results in England, the Champions Trophy, and the Asia Cup. He stated that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would ultimately decide his future as head coach.
The concept of split coaching, where different coaches are assigned to different formats of the game, is not new, but India has historically preferred a single coach for all formats. However, the increasing demands of modern cricket and the distinct skill sets required for Test and limited-overs formats have led to renewed calls for specialization.
Several names have emerged as potential candidates for the role of red-ball coach if the BCCI decides to pursue this route. VVS Laxman, who currently heads the National Cricket Academy and has previously served as the coach for the Indian team when the head coach was unavailable, is considered a strong contender. Former captain and BCCI President Sourav Ganguly is another potential option. Anil Kumble, who had a successful stint as India's coach from 2016 to 2017, is also being discussed, despite his previous departure due to a difference of opinion with then-captain Virat Kohli. Under Kumble, India won 12 out of 17 Test matches, with a win rate of 70.6%.
The debate over a specialist red-ball coach reflects a broader discussion about India's approach to Test cricket. With India slipping to fifth in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, pressure is mounting on the BCCI to take decisive action to revitalize the team's performance in the longest format of the game.
