NEW DELHI: After India head coach Gautam Gambhir launched a scathing attack on the theories of split coaching following the team's 0-2 whitewash against South Africa, legendary Kapil Dev said the BCCI should adopt whatever coaching structure best serves Indian cricket.

When asked if appointing different coaches for red-ball and white-ball formats could help India overcome their recent struggles in home Test matches, Kapil responded: "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."

Stay in your domain: Gambhir hits back

Several influential figures in the cricketing fraternity - including an IPL team owner - have urged the BCCI to consider appointing separate coaches for the red-ball and white-ball formats.

Kapil Dev's bold call: What should players prioritise - India or IPL?

"Look, there were a lot of talks because the results didn't go in our favour (in Test series). But the most surprising thing is that not once did any media or journalist wrote that our first Test match (in Kolkata) was played without the captain (Shubman Gill), who didn't bat in both innings (because of a neck injury)," Gambhir said during the post-match press meet after India clinched the ODI series against SA 2-1.

"Some people also said things that have nothing to do with cricket. An IPL team owner (Parth Jindal of Delhi Capitals on X) also wrote about split coaching.

"So this is surprising. It's very important for people to stay in their domain. Because if we don't go into someone's domain, then they also don't have the right to come into our domain," Gambhir added.

Kapil shrugs off talk of social-media era being tougher

Kapil, the 1983 World Cup-winning captain, rejected the notion that it is tougher to be an athlete in the social-media era than during his playing days.

"No, it's always the same. It was difficult then, it is difficult now. It was easy then and it is easy now. Your mindset is more important," he said.

Asked if he preferred any particular format, Kapil said he simply enjoys the game in all its forms.

"I just love cricket. Doesn't matter even two balls cricket or 100 balls or 100 overs or 10 overs... cricket is cricket. See golf is golf, whatever format you play, end of the day you enjoy golf."

He also offered a light-hearted remark on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma when asked about their performances.

"Good luck, they should play golf also," quipped Kapil, who is currently the president of Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).

Kapil was speaking at the launch of '72 The League', a city-based golf event announced by the PGTI and scheduled for next year.

(With PTI Inputs)