India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has revealed that the coaching staff will split into two halves after the third ODI against New Zealand. Kotak said head coach Gautam Gambhir will stay with the One-Day team whereas he and bowling coach Morne Morkel as well as other staff members will move to Wellington for the Test camp.
The batting coach said Gambhir will take the final call, but with the ODI World Cup on the cards, he will stay with the ODI squad. Spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule will also stay with the ODI team.
India is leading 2-0 against New Zealand and will look to close out the series in the third game.
“[The plan] can still change, but as far as I know, obviously Gautam will have to be here, the one-day World Cup is coming [in 2027], so he will be staying here, and probably Sairaj will stay here. 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. We’ll just try and see that their loading, their fitness, their practice, we do as much preparation as the conditions permit,” Sitanshu Kotak said during the pre-match press conference (via Cricinfo)
Kotak also revealed the pace trio of Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh and Auqib Nabi Dar will stay and be used as net bowlers ahead of the Test series. The trio will join the training sessions after the ODI series.
“I think three bowlers. Gurnoor, maybe Nabi, and I think Arsh is also staying back,” the batting coach said.
The third ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at Seddon Park, Hamilton, on Tuesday.
