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India National Cricket Team has been in New Zealand for a full tour. Currently, the side has been playing the five-match ODI series. The Men in Blue have already taken a 0-2 lead in the series. After the 3rd ODI, which is on Tuesday, November 10th, the Men in Blue coaching staff has been split into two halves.
Shubman Gill’s side has performed well so far in the series. The pace bowling department, consisting of Arshdeep Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, and Auqib Nabi, has dismantled the Kiwi batting line-up in the first two games. Gill would play the third ODI before joining the Test squad along with KL Rahul, given the busy schedule of the series.
"(The plan) can still change": Sitanshu Kotak reveals India's coaching plan division ahead of 3rd ODI
As per the information shared, head coach Gautam Gambhir will travel to Mount Maunganui with spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule for the last two ODIs. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and fast-bowling coach Morne Morkel will travel to Wellington for the Test series preparations. This proves that the Men in Blue have been giving utmost importance to the traditional format.
"(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," Kotak said at a press conference in Hamilton on Monday (as quoted by News18). "Me, Morne and some other staff will go to Wellington."
Why will Gautam Gambhir stay with the ODI squad instead of joining the Test squad?
While speaking to the media at the pre-match press conference, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak revealed that the plan can change, though as of now Gautam will be with the ODI team for the preparations for the ODI World Cup 2027. The ODI World Cup is just a year away, and the Men in Blue side remains the No.1 ODI team.
The Indian coach added, "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."
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak further confirmed that three pacers, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar and Arshdeep Singh, will stay back in New Zealand as they will serve as the net bowlers and reserve players to help the Men in Blue get ready for the two Tests against the Black Caps.
"I think three bowlers. Gurnoor, maybe Nabi, and I think Arsh is also staying back," Kotak said.
India focuses on Test series as players leave for Wellington on Wednesday
Morne Morkel will travel to Wellington on Wednesday along with skipper Gill, Rahul, Kamboj, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav. All five players are part of India’s Test squad and will not feature in the fourth and fifth ODIs in Mount Maunganui.
As the Men in Blue have announced a different team for the final two games of the series, Shreyas Iyer will lead the side, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the squad, and Ishan Kishan will be his deputy for the last two games.
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