Rangana Herath, Vikram Rathour join New Zealand’s coaching staff for Asian Test tour

Rangana Herath and Vikram Rathour will join New Zealand’s coaching staff as the team prepares for six Test matches in Asia over the next two months.

Herath, the former Sri Lankan spinner, will serve as New Zealand’s spin-bowling coach for three Tests—one against Afghanistan and two against Sri Lanka. Rathour, an ex-Indian cricketer and former batting coach for India, will be part of the coaching team for the one-off Test against Afghanistan, starting on September 9 in Greater Noida, India.

New Zealand’s head coach, Gary Stead, expressed excitement about their involvement, saying, "Both men are held in high regard in the world of cricket and I know our players are really looking forward to the opportunity to learn from them."

Stead emphasized how valuable Herath’s experience would be, especially for the team’s left-arm spinners—Ajaz Patel, Mitch Santner, and Rachin Ravindra. He mentioned that Herath’s knowledge of Galle, where New Zealand will play two Tests, would be crucial, as the former Sri Lankan bowler took over 100 Test wickets at that venue.

"For our three left-arm orthodox spinners in particular, Ajaz [Patel], Mitch [Santner] and Rachin [Ravindra], having the chance to work with Rangana across three Tests on the subcontinent will be hugely beneficial.

"Rangana has taken over 100 Test wickets in Galle which is the venue of our two Tests against Sri Lanka and so his knowledge of that venue will be priceless,' Gary further added.

After the Sri Lanka series, New Zealand will return to India for three more Test matches, to be held in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai. While five of the six Tests will count towards the World Test Championship, the Afghanistan match will not.

In addition to Ajaz, Santner, and Ravindra, New Zealand will have off-break options with Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips for the upcoming matches. The squad for the India series has not yet been finalized.

Herath, who took 433 wickets in 93 Tests, replaces Saqlain Mushtaq, the former Pakistan off-spinner, who has taken up a mentoring role in Pakistan’s domestic cricket. Herath previously coached the Bangladesh cricket team’s spin bowlers.

Rathour, who played six Tests for India, most recently served as India’s batting coach until his contract ended after India’s T20 World Cup victory in June. He was also a national selector for India in 2012.