The upcoming T20I and ODI series in Sri Lanka will be Gautam Gambhir’s maiden assignment as India’s head coach- here are Gambhir's confirmed support staff for India's 2024 tour of Sri Lanka.
Gambhir replaced his predecessor, Rahul Dravid, whose extension in the role came to an end following India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign.
There were speculations that Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate, Gambhir’s colleagues from the Kolkata Knight Riders’ 2024 IPL title-winning backroom staff, would join the national team in some coaching roles.
In his first press conference, the newly-appointed India head coach confirmed the rumours to be true as former all-rounders Nayar and Ten Doeschate, who represented India and Netherlands respectively, parted ways with the IPL franchise to join Gambhir’s thinktank as assistant coaches.
Gambhir: BCCI have agreed with most things I asked for
Gambhir said: "Really happy with the BCCI. They have agreed with most of the things I have asked for. The crux of the support staff will remain what it is right now, but we will finalise it once the Sri Lanka tour is over. Yes, Abhishek (Nayar) is the assistant coach, and Ryan ten Doeschate is the assistant coach.
"I personally feel there can be assistant coaches who can probably involve themselves more in all three departments rather than just focusing on one, and that is the reason why now we have two assistant coaches as well. And that is the way we go forward, and yes, you will get to know the exact support staff once the Sri Lanka tour is over."
Gambhir added that T Dilip, a member of the previous coaching staff, will continue as India’s fielding coach for the tour, with former India leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule coming in as a bowling coach.
"Abhishek Nayar is there, Sairaj Bahutule is there, Dilip is there, and Ryan ten Doeschate is going to join in Colombo," he added.
India's new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, shares his thoughts on the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Tests and ODIs.
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India's coaching staff for Sri Lanka tour: Head coach and assistant coaches
Head coach: Gautam Gambhir
Fielding coach: T Dilip
Bowling coach: Sairaj Bahutule
Assistant coaches: Abhishek Nayar, Ryan ten Doeschate
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