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Harbhajan Singh has supported split coaching for India team to reduce workload, amidst concerns over Gautam Gambhir’s effectiveness.
Harbhajan Singh thinks India can opt for split coaching (PTI Photo)
Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh has said that it is a good idea to implement split coaching for the Indian team, adding that it would reduce workload for everyone, including the coaches, amidst worry over head coach Gautam Gambhir’s effectiveness across all formats.
Gambhir oversaw India’s Champions Trophy win against New Zealand in March. He has 13 victories and just two losses as a coach in T20Is.
India beat Bangladesh in Tests, but then got whitewashed by New Zealand and lost to the mighty Aussies in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“I feel that if it can be implemented, there is nothing wrong with it. You have different teams and different players for formats. If we can do it, it’s a good option. It will reduce the workload for everyone, including the coaches,” Harbhajan said while speaking to India Today.
“Because your coach also needs time to prepare for a series. Like five Tests against Australia, then in England, then elsewhere. So the coach can prepare and set out what his team should be,” Harbhajan added.
“If you overwork one coach for the whole year, he, too, has a family and responsibilities. Travelling constantly with family isn’t easy. So yes, if you ask me, splitting red-ball and white-ball coaching is a good move,” Harbhajan said.
After winning the second Test without ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, India included him in the third game. But it was not enough as England managed to bag a win on the final day and now lead 2-1.
Meanwhile, Harbhajan was also in the news after an India vs Pakistan match was supposed to go ahead in the World Championship of Legends.
The second edition of the tournament began on July 18 at Edgbaston and is scheduled for an August 2 final. World Cup winner Yuvraj Singh is the skipper of the India legends, while the team features the likes of Harbhajan, Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa and Varun Aaron among others.
The WCL organisers shared a statement on their X account, detailing the decision to cancel and said that their intention while holding the India vs Pakistan game was to recreate some “happy memories.”
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