Discussing the concept of having multiple coaches for different formats, Uthappa said it would be a challenging decision but one that could work if managed properly. He stressed the importance of cohesion among coaches, warning that conflicts could negatively impact the team.
“It is not an easy call to take. You need them to work in tandem and together. If they are all working against each other, then everyone suffers. To work in cohesion becomes important. Communication lines being open at all times, knowing when someone is going to take the lead and someone takes the backseat, understanding the importance of that. It is possible but it needs to come from a place of building something big,” Uthappa said on his YouTube channel.
He added that he supports the idea of split coaching, noting that India’s packed cricket schedule makes it difficult for a single coach to prepare the team for different formats. According to Uthappa, having multiple coaches could bring fresh energy and perspectives to the team.
“There are multiple ways to slice a cake. I am very open to having multiple coaches for different formats. India plays a lot of cricket. You feel like the mind also becomes stale when you move from one format to another. Sometimes you are so consumed. You can’t really prepare for another format when you are dealing with one at a certain point in time. So you want to have that freshness of mindset and energy as well. From that perspective, I feel it should work,” he explained.
Uthappa also suggested a broader strategy for running the team across formats. He proposed appointing scouts who report to a Director of Cricket, who would then coordinate with coaches and administrators to make decisions—a system he described as “the most productive and constructive way to build teams from here on.”
Gambhir has faced challenges as head coach despite some successes, including India’s recent Test series defeats at home against New Zealand and South Africa. The ODI series loss marks another difficult chapter for the Men in Blue, as New Zealand secured their first bilateral ODI series victory on Indian soil in eight attempts since 1988.
