Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not formally announced it, Abhishek Nayar, a former India all-rounder, and Ryan ten Doeschate, a former Dutch international, are set to join the Indian team coaching staff, as reported by Cricpulse on July 19.
Joining Gautam Gambhir, the new head coach, these additions include T. Dilip, who will continue as the fielding coach.
Dilip has earned a reputation not only as an effective fielding coach but also as a positive influence in the dressing room.
He is known for his team bonding exercises, which are essential in a highly competitive environment.
Both Nayar and ten Doeschate have been appointed as assistant coaches.
While the new bowling coach is yet to be confirmed, Morne Morkel is a strong candidate, with a high likelihood that the former South African pacer will take on this role in Gambhir’s coaching team.
All the new additions to the coaching team—Nayar, ten Doeschate, and Morkel—have previously worked with Gambhir at various stages of his coaching career in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Nayar and ten Doeschate were with him during his successful tenure at Kolkata Knight Riders last season, while Morkel worked with Gambhir at Lucknow Super Giants for two years.
Dilip and Nayar are expected to travel with the team on Monday, but it is unclear when and how ten Doeschate will join the side.
He is currently in the US as part of the coaching staff for the LA Knight Riders in the ongoing Major League Cricket (MLC) and may join the team directly in Colombo.
Similarly, Morkel’s plans are not yet clear.
Cricpulse can confirm that the BCCI has held discussions with him about potentially becoming the team’s bowling coach.
The Indian team is scheduled to depart from Mumbai to Colombo on a charter flight at 1 pm on Monday.
Prior to their departure, the BCCI is expected to formally unveil Gambhir as the new head coach.
A media conference is planned for July 22 at a five-star hotel in Andheri, Mumbai, with the newly appointed T20 captain Surya Kumar Yadav in attendance.
BCCI boss Jay Shah, who is already in Colombo for the Annual Conference of the International Cricket Council (ICC), will meet the new members of the side upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.
Nayar, meanwhile, conducted a brief coaching clinic for the Mumbai team in preparation for the upcoming domestic season.
Between 30 and 35 senior players attended a session focusing on mental toughness and growth mindset, among other aspects of the game.
The session was held at the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) academy in Bandra Kurla Complex earlier this week.
The clinic was intended to last a week but was cut short due to inclement weather.
The Mumbai team has since left for a pre-season camp in Alur, Karnataka.
Nayar would have traveled with the team but could not due to his India assignment.
Nayar offered his expertise to the Mumbai team on a voluntary basis, according to the MCA.
“It was a good opportunity for Mumbai players that Nayar agreed to share his expertise on various aspects of the game.
It should benefit the players in the coming season,” said Ajinkya Naik, the secretary of the MCA. Mumbai are the defending champions of the Ranji Trophy.
“He was focusing on developing a growth mindset and teaching modern practice and technique implementation,” a team member involved in the camp told this website about the areas covered in the camp.
Nayar is highly respected among current players, both domestic and international, and is considered a key figure in Kolkata Knight Riders’ success in the IPL.
Players like Varun Chakaravarthy and Venkatesh Iyer have openly credited Nayar for the Knight Riders’ title triumph last season.
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