Former Indian Cricket Captain Kapil Dev has voiced a measured stance against rushing into a split coaching model for the national team, suggesting that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should prioritize structures that unequivocally benefit the sport amid ongoing debates following India's humiliating 0-2 Test series loss to South Africa at home earlier in 2025. Speaking at the launch of '72 The League'—a pioneering city-based golf tournament organized by the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), where Kapil serves as president—on December 10, 2025, the 1983 World Cup hero emphasized thoughtful decision-making over hasty reforms. "I don't know... I can't answer that. You have to really work something like that in your mind and say what should happen. Whatever is good for cricket, I think they should do it," Kapil remarked when pressed on whether separate coaches for red-ball and white-ball formats could remedy the team's recent struggles.
The idea of split coaching has gained traction in cricket circles after India's unprecedented home whitewash against the Proteas, marking the first such defeat in 13 years and exposing vulnerabilities in batting consistency and spin bowling on turning tracks. Proponents argue that specialized head coaches—one for Tests and another for limited-overs—could allow tailored strategies, drawing parallels to Australia's dual setup under Andrew McDonald for Tests and white-ball roles, or England's separation post their 2022 overhaul. However, Kapil's response underscores a cautionary approach, reflecting his experience leading India to World Cup glory and as a national selector, where he advocated for holistic development over fragmented leadership that might dilute team cohesion.
Kapil's comments come at a time of transition for Indian cricket, with Gautam Gambhir settling into his role as all-format head coach since mid-2025, succeeding Rahul Dravid after the T20 World Cup triumph. Gambhir's tenure has seen mixed results, including a strong white-ball resurgence but persistent Test woes, prompting calls from experts like Sunil Gavaskar for structural introspection. The BCCI, however, has shown no inclination toward splitting roles, prioritizing a unified voice to foster the multi-format demands on stars like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who retired from tests post the South Africa debacle.
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As '72 The League' gears up for its inaugural edition in early 2026 across six Indian cities—aiming to blend golf with urban culture and youth engagement—Kapil's broader vision for sports administration shines through, advocating adaptability without overhauling proven systems. His measured take aligns with BCCI's philosophy of evolving through internal tweaks, such as enhanced domestic grooming via the revamped Ranji Trophy, rather than radical shifts that could disrupt the pipeline of talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill.
The debate over split coaching extends beyond India, with global bodies like the ICC monitoring its impact on bilateral series and World Test Championship cycles, where fragmented setups risk logistical nightmares. Kapil's endorsement of "whatever is good for cricket" echoes sentiments from peers like Sourav Ganguly, who in past interviews favored a single coach for accountability.
Ultimately, as India eyes redemption in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in late 2025, Kapil's words serve as a reminder that true progress lies in strategic evolution, not knee-jerk reactions, ensuring the team's storied legacy endures across formats.
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