NCA coaches Sitanshu Kotak, Sairaj Bahutule to join VVS Laxman's coaching staff for upcoming Zimbabwe tour - Report

National Cricket Academy (NCA) coaches Sitanshu Kotak and Sairaj Bahutule are set to be included in the coaching staff for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. Sitanshu Kotak and Sairaj Bahutule will assist VVS Laxman, who will coach the Indian team on the Zimbabwe tour next month.

Current head coach Rahul Dravid's tenure will conclude after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to finalize the new head coach of the men's team. The new coaching staff will not be available for the Zimbabwe tour.

Former India player Gautam Gambhir is reportedly in line to become the next head coach, following his successful stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). According to a PTI report, Gambhir's first assignment is expected to be the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in July-August.

VVS Laxman will serve the Indian team as head coach for the T20I series against Zimbabwe. He has previously taken charge of the team in the absence of Rahul Dravid and the senior squad during tours or breaks. Laxman was also considered for the permanent head coach position but declined the offer.

Sitanshu Kotak And Sairaj Bahutule To Be Part Coaching Staff

Sitanshu Kotak and Sairaj Bahutule have extensive coaching experience with India, India A, and India U-19 teams in the past. They have worked closely with many players in the current squad during the High-Performance Camp at the NCA.

According to a report by News18, a senior board official emphasized that any decisions regarding coaching staff changes will be made after the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, as the BCCI does not want any distractions during the campaign.

“Whatever will happen, will happen after the World Cup. No point in having any distractions when the tournament is going on. Right now, all our attention should be on the team in the Caribbean and hope they end the wait for the ICC trophy,” says a senior board official.

The BCCI's Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) conducted interviews with Gautam Gambhir and WV Raman for the head coach role. Gambhir emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Rahul Dravid, and the selection of support staff is pending. It's uncertain if the Indian Cricket Board will advertise these positions.

A youthful squad, filled with emerging stars from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, will feature in the upcoming five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. The selection committee has picked young opening batter Shubman Gill as the captain of the Indian national cricket team for the first match.

Gautam Gambhir is expected to begin his tenure as head coach of the Indian team with the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka, comprising three ODIs and three T20Is, starting on July 27.

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