Assistant coaches finalized for India team ahead of Sri Lanka tour: report

Former India all-rounder Abhishek Nayar and former Dutch international Ryan ten Doeschate are poised to join the Indian cricket team as assistant coaches for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

This development comes as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to officially confirm the full support staff for newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir, who has taken over from Rahul Dravid.

According to local media reports, T Dilip will continue as a fielding coach.

"Dilip is known for his effective fielding drills and team bonding exercises, which are crucial in a highly competitive environment," the report stated.

Nayar and ten Doeschate, both of whom have previously worked with Gambhir during his tenure with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, are expected to bring significant experience to the team.

Additionally, former South African pacer Morne Morkel is reportedly a strong contender for the bowling coach position, having collaborated with Gambhir at Lucknow Super Giants for two years.

While Nayar and Dilip are set to join the team immediately, ten Doeschate's timing is still being determined. Currently, he is in the United States as part of the LA Knight Riders' coaching staff in the ongoing Major League Cricket (MLC) and may join the Indian team directly in Colombo.

Discussions with the BCCI regarding Morkel's potential role as bowling coach are ongoing, though his timeline remains to be determined due to family commitments in South Africa. Morkel has shown interest in the position, leaving the decision in the BCCI's hands.

The Indian team is scheduled to depart from Mumbai to Colombo on a charter flight at 1 pm on Monday. Before departure, the BCCI is expected to formally introduce Gambhir as the new head coach.