Sports · Cricket · 11 hrs ago
India to send batting and bowling coaches early to Test camp in New Zealand
India are expected to send batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and bowling coach Morne Morkel to the Test camp after the third one-day international against New Zealand.
The coaches will prepare with the red-ball squad in Wellington, while head coach Gautam Gambhir and spin coach Sairaj Bahutule are set to remain with the ODI team for its final two matches.
The two-Test series begins on November 19, only four days after the five-match ODI series ends.
Three ODI bowlers may stay to help the Test batters practise, with Gurnoor Brar, Auqib Nabi and Arshdeep Singh named as likely options.
Kotak plans to use practice sessions to prepare batters for different match situations and conditions.
India have not won a Test in New Zealand since 2009, and the series could affect their chances of reaching the World Test Championship final.
The coaching plan is not final, and Gambhir will make the decision on staff movements.
India plans to split its coaching staff between the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand and preparations for the two-Test series.
Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and bowling coach Morne Morkel are expected to join the Test camp in Wellington after the third ODI.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir and spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule are expected to remain with the ODI squad for its final two matches.
Three bowlers from the ODI squad are also likely to stay in New Zealand to help the Test team prepare.
The Test series begins on November 19, and India’s World Test Championship final hopes remain in play.
- Who
- India’s coaching staff, including Sitanshu Kotak, Morne Morkel, Gautam Gambhir and Sairaj Bahutule.
- What
- The staff is expected to split between ODI duties and Test preparations. Three ODI bowlers are also likely to stay back for the Test camp.
- When
- After the third ODI; the Test series begins on November 19.
- Where
- New Zealand, with the Test preparations taking place in Wellington.
- Why
- India is preparing for the Test series while the ODI series is still underway.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Kotak described the likely staff split at a press conference in Hamilton.
Kotak and Morkel are expected to leave for Wellington, according to Hindustan Times.
The five-match ODI series is scheduled to end, according to India Today.
India’s two-Test series against New Zealand is scheduled to begin.
- Test series
- Two matches
- Test series start
- November 19
- Test preparation location
- Wellington
- Coaches expected to join Test camp
- Sitanshu Kotak and Morne Morkel
- Bowlers likely to stay back
- Gurnoor Brar, Auqib Nabi and Arshdeep Singh
- ODI series
- Five matches
2 sources
What people are saying
Me, Morne and some other staff will go to Wellington
That's the plan, but like I said, Gautam will make the final decision. It can change, but this is how it will likely be.
I think three bowlers
Obviously Gautam will have to be here - the one-day World Cup is coming, so he will be staying here and probably Sairaj will stay here.