India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has said that the coaching staff will be divided into two groups after the third ODI against New Zealand on November 10. Morne Morkel, the fast bowling coach, will head to Wellington for the Test preparations along with some players who are not available for the last two fifty-over games. On the other hand, head coach Gautam Gambhir and spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule will stay with the ODI squad.
The Men in Blue are currently competing against the Kiwis in the five-match ODI series. India are leading 2-0, having won the previous two outings. The third contest is scheduled at Seddon Park while the fourth and fifth ODIs will be played at Mount Maunganui on November 13 and 15. Basin Reserve will host the first Test on November 19.
“The plans can change, but at the moment, Gautam Gambhir will remain here as the ODI World Cup is in 2027. Sairaj will also be with him. Morkel and other staff and I will head to Wellington. That’s the plan, but everything depends on Gautam. It can change, but this is how things are presently. We will see their fitness, practice and loading. We will try to prepare as much as conditions permit,” Kotak said.
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Captain Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Anshul Kamboj, who are part of the Test squad, will miss the last two ODIs. Shreyas Iyer will lead the side in Gill’s absence, as revealed by the BCCI in October.
3 bowlers to stay back for Test preparations after ODI series
Sitanshu Kotak also confirmed that three pacers, who are not part of the Test squad, will remain in New Zealand to help the batters get ready for five-day matches.
“Gurnoor, Nabi and Arsh are staying back,” he said.
Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh and Auqib Nabi are playing in ODIs against the Black Caps, but the three haven’t been named in the Test team. However, they will be used as net bowlers in the Test assignment.
Auqib played in the opening unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A, where he took six wickets. Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor have been magnificent in the ODI series so far.