The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has finalised a major reshuffle in the men’s national team’s support staff ahead of the new cycle, which begins with the five-Test series in England in June.
Apart from parting ways with two of the six coaching staff members – assistant coach Abhishek Nayar and fielding coach T. Dilip – the BCCI is set to bring in new faces as part of the revamp.
The reshuffle is based on feedback from the team management following a mixed start to Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as head coach. Despite suffering consecutive Test series defeats – against New Zealand at home and in Australia – last year, India’s ODI team salvaged some pride by reclaiming the Champions Trophy last month.
“There are a few changes in the team’s coaching and support staff. It will be officially announced soon,” a BCCI official said on condition of anonymity, confirming that the coaching set-up is being streamlined.
That Nayar’s position was under threat became apparent with Shitanshu Kotak’s appointment as batting coach immediately after the tour of Australia. Nayar – expected to serve as a bridge between Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma – reportedly received negative feedback from multiple members of the team management during review meetings held by the BCCI over the last couple of months.
Dilip, the only member retained from the previous coaching set-up led by Rahul Dravid, has been let go to enable more specific role assignments within the new team. For the tour of England, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate is expected to take charge of the fielding unit, with Kotak overseeing the batting group. Morne Morkel will continue as bowling coach.
With Nitin Patel, head of the medical wing at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, stepping down, the backroom staff is also undergoing changes. Adrian Le Roux is set to replace Soham Desai as strength and conditioning coach, while a new recovery specialist will be appointed in place of Arun Kanade.
Le Roux – the South African who was instrumental in introducing modern fitness standards to Indian cricket during his stint in the early 2000s – will rejoin the national team after completing his IPL duties with Punjab Kings.