Team India's new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, will commence his tenure with the Sri Lanka tour starting on July 27. The Indian team is scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20 matches. Before heading to Sri Lanka, Gambhir held a press conference in Mumbai on July 22 (Monday), where Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar was also present.
During the press conference, Gautam Gambhir shared major updates about Team India's coaching staff. He announced that former Indian all-rounder Abhishek Nayar and Netherlands cricket great Ryan ten Doeschate will serve as assistant coaches for the Sri Lanka tour. Meanwhile, former Indian all-rounder Sairaj Bahutule will take on the role of interim bowling coach, and T. Dilip will accompany the team as the fielding coach.
Gautam Gambhir stated, 'The coaching staff is in place, but we will finalize everything after the Sri Lanka tour. We will have time after the series. I've received very positive feedback from the players. Yes, Abhishek (Nayar) and Ryan ten Doeschate are assistant coaches. I believe both will excel in their roles as coaches. Abhishek Nayar, Sairaj Bahutule, and Dilip are also traveling with us. Ryan ten Doeschate will join the team in Colombo.'
Ryan and Abhishek: Gambhir's Trusted Aides
Ryan ten Doeschate and Abhishek Nayar have previously worked with Gautam Gambhir during IPL 2024 with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). During IPL 2024, Doeschate served as KKR's fielding coach, while Nayar was the assistant coach. Ryan ten Doeschate has played 33 ODIs and 24 T20 matches for the Netherlands, scoring 1541 runs in ODIs at an average of 67 and 533 runs in T20 Internationals at an average of 41. He has also taken 68 wickets in T20 Internationals. Speaking of Abhishek Nayar, he had the opportunity to play only 3 ODIs for India, but he has been notably successful as a coach.
Bahutule's Playing Career and Coaching Journey
T. Dilip was the fielding coach for the Indian team during Rahul Dravid's tenure. Before pursuing a career in coaching, T. Dilip used to teach math to kids. Sairaj Bahutule has taken 630 wickets in 188 first-class matches and scored 6,176 runs at an average of 31.83, including nine centuries. He has represented India in two Test matches and eight ODIs. Bahutule was also the coach of the Bengal Ranji team for three consecutive years.
The Indian team will kick off their Sri Lanka tour on July 27, where they will play a total of six matches over 12 days. The tour will start with a 3-match T20 series between India and Sri Lanka. The first T20 will be played on July 27, the second on July 28, and the final T20 match on July 30, all in Pallekele and starting at 7 PM IST.
Following the T20 series, both teams will compete in a 3-match ODI series. The first ODI will be held on August 2, followed by the remaining two matches on August 4 and 7. All three ODIs will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, and the 50-over matches will commence at 2:30 PM IST.
India-Sri Lanka Schedule
July 27 - 1st T20, Pallekele July 28 - 2nd T20, Pallekele July 30 - 3rd T20, Pallekele August 2 - 1st ODI, Colombo August 4 - 2nd ODI, Colombo August 7 - 3rd ODI, Colombo
