Harbhajan Singh Supports Gautam Gambhir Amid Coaching Controversy
Harbhajan Singh Backs Gambhir's Coaching Role
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed his support for Gautam Gambhir, advocating for him to remain as head coach despite discussions about potentially splitting coaching responsibilities between Test and white-ball formats. Gambhir faced significant criticism following India's 0-2 defeat against South Africa in a two-match Test series in November 2024.
India's Recent Test Series Struggles
This latest whitewash marks India's second Test series loss at home within a year, having previously suffered a 0-3 defeat to New Zealand. Under Gambhir's leadership, the team has managed to win only two out of six Test series since September 2024, leading to widespread criticism regarding inconsistent performances and team selection.
Calls for Split Coaching
In light of the recent failures, there have been increasing calls for a division in coaching roles, suggesting that a specialist coach should handle the Test team while another focuses on limited-overs formats. This idea gained traction after Parth Jindal, founder of JSW Sports and co-owner of Delhi Capitals, publicly endorsed the concept.
Harbhajan Defends the Challenges of Coaching
Amidst the ongoing debate, Harbhajan Singh defended Gambhir, emphasizing the difficulties of being the head coach of the Indian team. He highlighted the extensive travel, year-round commitment, and the need for constant engagement with the team as significant challenges.
"Coaching India is not an easy task," Harbhajan remarked, stressing the importance of being involved in every aspect of the game.
Gambhir's Tenure and Achievements
Gautam Gambhir took over as head coach in July 2024, succeeding Rahul Dravid after a successful T20 World Cup. While the team has seen success in white-ball formats, the struggles in Test cricket have placed Gambhir under scrutiny.
Harbhajan criticized the tendency to blame coaches for failures while overlooking their contributions to successes, stating, "In India, when the team performs well, everyone remains silent, but as soon as there are losses, the coach is targeted."
Future of Coaching in Indian Cricket
Regarding the contentious issue of split coaching, Harbhajan urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to remain patient with the current setup under Gambhir. He acknowledged that while a split coaching policy could be beneficial in the future, it is not necessary at this moment.
"Everyone should exercise patience. If the need arises for a split coaching approach, it can be considered later," he added.
Upcoming Challenges for Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir's next significant challenge will be the T20 World Cup 2026, commencing on February 7, where India will defend their title after winning in 2024. Prior to this, the team will engage in a five-match T20I series against New Zealand starting January 21.