Indian coaching staff to split into two after 3rd ODI, Gambhir to take final decision

New Delhi: The third match of the five-match ODI series between India and New Zealand will be played in Hamilton tomorrow, Tuesday, November 10. Following this match, the Indian coaching staff will be split into two groups. This is because India also needs to prepare its players for the Test series, which begins on November 19.

Gautam Gambhir and Sairaj Bahutule will remain with the ODI squad, while Morne Morkel and Sitanshu Kotak will join the Test squad. While this has yet to be finalized, the final decision will rest with head coach Gautam Gambhir. If India wins tomorrow's match and seals the series, five Indian cricketers will join Morkel and Kotak in the Test squad.

India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak shared this information while speaking to reporters on Monday ahead of the third ODI. He said, "It could still change, but as far as I know, Gautam Gambhir will remain with the ODI team, keeping the 2027 World Cup in mind, and spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule will also be here. Morne Morkel and I will travel with some other staff to Wellington, where the Test series begins." 

He added that while this has been finalized for now, the final decision rests with Gautam Gambhir. "That's the plan, but Gautam will take the final call. It could change, but that's probably what will happen. We'll just try to see his loading, his fitness, his practice - we'll prepare as much as the conditions allow."

World Test Championship at stake

India leads the ODI series 2-0 and could win the series with a single win, but the bigger stakes are in the Test series. India must win both matches to reach the World Test Championship final. The Indian team last won a Test series on New Zealand soil in 2009 under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The Indian team hasn't won an ODI series on New Zealand soil since 2019.

The coaches will leave on November 11

If finalized, Kotak and Morkel will be joined by Shubman Gill, Anshul Kamboj, Lokesh Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj. All three are part of the ODI squad for the three matches. Currently, both coaches are expected to leave for Wellington on November 11th, a day after the third ODI. Gambhir and Bahutule will depart on November 16th, after the ODI series concludes.