India’s new assistant coach Abhishek Nayar will oversee the preparations of the ODI team ahead of IND vs SL three-match ODI series. Skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and Kuldeep Yadav reached Colombo on Sunday night. They will have their nets session on Monday after a month-long break.
While both Rohit and Virat were supposed to be on a longer break, they have returned to national duties with Gautam Gambhir asking them to cut short their vacation.
Abhishek Nayar released for ODIs
With Gautam Gambhir still to complete the remaining IND vs SL T20I, he will remain in Kandy. His deputy on the tour, Abhishek Nayar, will head into the nets with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to oversee preparations.
India vs Sri Lanka ODIs begin on August 2. After the IND vs SL 3rd T20 on July 30, the team will travel to Colombo to link up with Rohit-Virat.
Nayar, who is all set to replace Vikram Rathour as the batting coach, will take independent charge before Gambhir & Co reach Colombo.
Rohit Sharma will be eager to link up with Nayar once again. The India captain shares a great rapport with his former Mumbai teammate. Rohit credits his Test comeback to Nayar, who helped him overcome a difficult phase. The two spent three months together working on Rohit’s batting issues in Mumbai.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma won’t have long after the break. The two stalwarts, who called it quits in T20Is, will have to quickly acclimatise to the conditions. ICC Champions Trophy 2025 remains their primary target apart from Tests.
Permanent coaching staff after IND vs SL series
Meanwhile, BCCI will also take a call on the coaching staff. The BCCI has provided Gautam Gambhir with his preferred coaching staff in Abhishek Nayar, Ryan ten Doeschate and Morne Morkel. Fielding coach T Dilip will continue. But there is no word yet on Sairaj Bahutule. The NCA spin bowling coach is a temporary IND vs SL series appointment.
Considering Morne Morkel won’t have any inputs for Indian spinners, BCCI could offer Bahutule a permanent contract.
India squad for IND vs SL ODIs
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana.
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