Team India’s new coach Gautam Gambhir’s support staff is expected to comprise two overseas specialists. The BCCI has already decided to give Gambhir a free hand in choosing his backroom staff.
While KKR’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar is set to join Gambhir’s core team in a similar capacity, former South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel is being considered as bowling coach.
Former India quicks Zaheer Khan, Lakshmipathy Balaji and Vinay Kumar’s names had been discussed as bowling coach, but Gambhir is learnt to have expressed his liking for Morkel with whom he had worked for two seasons at Lucknow Super Giants.
Gambhir wants someone with enough experience at the highest level who can cater to the demands of promising youngsters like Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh among others. The 39-year-old Morkel quit international cricket in 2018.
The BCCI brass are also learnt to have spoken to Morkel on a few occasions and the deal is almost finalised. The South African had also been a part of former Pakistan head coach Micky Arthur’s support staff during the 2023 World Cup. He quit at the end of their disappointing campaign.
The surprise addition could be former Dutch international Ryan ten Doeschate, who was the fielding coach at KKR during their successful run this season.
The BCCI could retain fielding coach T. Dilip and what Ten Doeschate’s role would be in such circumstances is still not clear.
Vikram Rathour and Paras Mhambrey had been the batting and bowling coach, respectively, till the T20 World Cup under Rahul Dravid as head coach.
A final decision lies with the BCCI and an announcement is expected next week.
