(AFP/KKR Credit)
Abhishek Nayar, the former Indian all-rounder, and Ryan ten Doeschate, the Netherlands batter, who both collaborated with Gautam Gambhir during their tenure at Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2024, are poised to join the coaching staff of the Indian men’s cricket team for their upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. The team is scheduled to depart next week for a series comprising three T20Is and three ODIs.
As reported by Cricbuzz on Saturday, Nayar and ten Doeschate will serve as assistant coaches, while T. Dilip continues in his role as the fielding coach.
The addition of Morne Morkel, the former South African fast bowler who played under Gambhir at KKR and also worked with him at Lucknow Super Giants, is highly anticipated as the new bowling coach.
Nayar and Dilip are set to accompany the Indian squad to Sri Lanka next week for the white-ball series. However, ten Doeschate’s arrival timeline remains uncertain, as he is currently with the coaching staff of LA Knight Riders in the USA. He may join the team directly in Colombo.
Similarly, details regarding Morkel’s appointment are still unclear, although discussions have reportedly taken place with the BCCI regarding his potential role as the bowling coach.
The BCCI is expected to formally announce Gambhir as the head coach of Team India on July 22, coinciding with a press conference in Mumbai alongside newly appointed T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav.
India and Sri Lanka are set to clash in a series of white-ball cricket encounters starting with three T20Is at Pallekele on July 27, 28, and 30. The action then moves to R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo for the three ODIs scheduled on August 2, 4, and 7.
Rohit Sharma will lead India in the three-match ODI series, with Virat Kohli, the renowned batting superstar, also featuring in the 15-member squad. However, Hardik Pandya will be absent from the 50-over matches due to personal reasons, while Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the entire Sri Lanka tour.
