Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi will stay back for India’s Test preparation
Indian players celebrate New Zealand’s Tom Latham’s wicket. India pacers Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi will remain with the team to prepare ahead of the Test series against New Zealand, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed on Saturday.The three pacers will stay back after the ODI series as the team begins preparations for the red-ball challenge.In a press conference ahead of the third ODI, Kotak said that the conditions in the ongoing ODI series have provided useful preparation for the Test matches, especially for the bowling unit.“Both pitches had seam and swing. Good preparation for the Test because the ball will change, but one-day cricket gives you an idea of the conditions. The thickness of the grass and everything. It was challenging but good for the team and the preparations,” Kotak said.He also pointed to India A’s three matches as an important part of the preparation and said they provided adequate preparation for both batsmen and bowlers.India’s Test players are expected to begin the preparatory camp on November 11. Kotak expects the practices to help the team prepare for the series.“The India Test players will start their camp from the 11th, so hopefully those five to six sessions will help prepare for the Test series,” he said.After giving details of the team’s immediate plans, Kotak confirmed that head coach Gautam Gambhir will remain with the ODI squad while he and bowling coach Morne Morkel will travel to Wellington.“Gurnoor, Arshdeep and Nabi will stay back for the pre-Tests. Gambhir will stay back with the ODI squad, me and Morne will go to Wellington. That’s the plan for now,” he said.
KL Rahul played an incredible innings
Kotak also spoke about the importance of KL Rahul to the Indian batting line-up, praising his adaptability and ability to serve as per the team’s requirements.Rahul remained unbeaten on 26 during India’s rain-affected chase of 135 in the second ODI. Wickets fell at regular intervals and the wicketkeeper-palter held one end together as India reached 113/7 in 26 overs before rain ended the match.“The biggest advantage is that he opens Test cricket. He is someone who plays according to the needs of the team. Ever since I joined, he has played a tremendous innings. He never looks under pressure and never lets the team down. He can spin and hits sixes with ease,” Kotak said.Regarding India’s approach to playing additional all-rounders, the batting coach said the team selection was based on players performing their designated roles rather than compromising to accommodate the next batsman.“We’re playing spot players. It’s hard to downsize a bowler and add batting,” he explained.
India lead the series 2-0
Meanwhile, India went 2-0 up in the five-match ODI series after beating New Zealand by four runs via the DLS method in Wellington.New Zealand were defending a modest target of 135 in a match reduced to 47 overs per side and had India struggling at 113/7 after 26 overs when rain forced the players off the field. India were four runs short of DLS’s par score to give them the win.Gurnoor Brar was the outstanding bowler claiming 4/30 in 10 overs while Auqib Nabi picked up two wickets. Anshul Kamboj and Axar Patel also finished with two wickets each.Earlier, Daryl Mitchell top scored for New Zealand with 55 to rescue the hosts from 53/5 thanks to a 59-run partnership with Mitchell Santner, who contributed 31.India will now head to Hamilton for the third ODI on Tuesday, looking to extend their lead in the series.