Former India fast bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji has been appointed head coach of India-A for its upcoming series against Australia-A in Puducherry.
Balaji, who currently serves as a bowling coach at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE), confirmed his new assignment to Sportstar. He will oversee the India-A side during a tour featuring two unofficial Tests and three One-Day matches.
The series is set to begin on Tuesday with the opening unofficial Test. A second red-ball encounter will follow before the teams switch formats for the three-match One-Day leg.
Balaji has been given charge of the A team with CoE head V.V.S. Laxman expected to accompany the Indian T20I squad for the Asian Games. Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Sunil Joshi, both of whom have previously worked as India-A head coach, are also reportedly set to be in Japan.
The assignment adds another chapter to Balaji’s coaching career following his retirement from professional cricket in 2016.
The 44-year-old has accumulated significant coaching experience since ending his playing days. He has worked as a bowling coach with Indian Premier League franchises Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings. Balaji also combined playing and coaching responsibilities with Tamil Nadu during the 2015-16 season.
His experience as a former international fast bowler and subsequent work as a specialist bowling coach will now be put to use with an India-A squad containing a mixture of emerging talent and players with international exposure.
Devdutt Padikkal has been chosen to captain the India-A team for the series. The squad also includes B. Sai Sudharsan and Anshul Kamboj, both of whom have represented India at the international level.
The Australia-A series will give the players an opportunity to make their case through both red-ball and limited-overs cricket, while Balaji will take charge of the overall coaching responsibilities during the assignment.
With two unofficial Tests followed by three One-Dayers, India-A will have a packed schedule in Puducherry as Balaji begins his stint at the helm.
