Overview
- Harbhajan Singh told ANI there is nothing wrong with appointing separate red- and white-ball coaches but said the move is not needed right now.
- He defended Gautam Gambhir by noting the head coach does not take the field, urging patience during a demanding, year-round role that attracts outsized blame after losses.
- India’s contrasting form under Gambhir includes home Test whitewashes to New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa in 2025, alongside a 2025 ICC Champions Trophy title and strong T20I results.
- BCCI officials have publicly backed Gambhir and denied reports of approaching VVS Laxman for a Test-specific role, even as the split-coaching discussion continues.
- Gambhir previously rebuked external calls for split coaching, including a comment from IPL co-owner Parth Jindal, while upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand and the Feb–Mar T20 World Cup are expected to inform any future review of the structure.