Will two special coaches of Gautam Gambhir leave? Signs of change in Team India’s coaching staff after England tour

New Delhi. Rumors of a major reshuffle in the support staff of the Indian men’s cricket team have again intensified. The two most important members of head coach Gautam Gambhir’s core team, fast bowling coach Morne Morkel and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, are in talks with BCCI about their future. There are speculations that after the end of the current England tour, both these stalwarts may resign from their posts.

According to a report in ‘The Times of India’, Ryan ten Doeschate is not completely comfortable with his commitments of constant travelling, while Morkel is still considering his options. According to a BCCI source, Ten Doeschate is confused about the busy schedule of international cricket and the constant traveling with the team throughout the year.

Douchet isn’t too sure about keeping the job. He has informed the board about the problems he is facing in traveling with the team throughout the year. At the same time, Morkel is still weighing his options and has not taken any final decision. BCCI is currently in constant touch with both the coaches and is trying to find a middle path. The board is trying to address the concerns of both the veterans so that they can continue working with Gambhir.

IPL connection and Gambhir’s choice
Both Morne Morkel and Ryan ten Doeschate were appointed by the BCCI on the special recommendation of head coach Gautam Gambhir. Both of them had earlier worked together with Gambhir in IPL franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Gambhir was extremely impressed by the coaching style and methodology of both of them. If reports are to be believed, if Ten Doeschate leaves the Indian team, he may consider joining an IPL franchise again, where he will have to be busy only for two-three months of the year. On the other hand, the future of former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel is still hanging in the balance.

If Morkel and Doeschate leave, what is the next plan?
The schedule of the Indian team after the end of the current England tour is very busy, for which BCCI has started preparing a backup plan. Immediately after the England tour, the Indian team will leave for Zimbabwe for a three-match T20 International series. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and his regular staff will be on break during this tour. In his place, VVS Laxman, head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) i.e. BCCI Center of Excellence, will take charge of the team as the acting head coach. The coaching staff of the Center of Excellence will also go to Zimbabwe with him. After the Zimbabwe tour, Gautam Gambhir will again take up his responsibility as the head coach from the Sri Lanka tour. India has to play a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka from August 15.

Lakshmipathy Balaji can take over the responsibility of bowling coach
Morne Morkel’s current contract with BCCI is only till the end of the England tour. If the talks do not yield any positive outcome and Morkel decides not to extend his contract, then the BCCI can make interim arrangements for the Sri Lanka tour. In such a situation, former Indian fast bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji can be sent as the temporary fast bowling coach of the Indian team for the Sri Lanka tour. Balaji has vast experience of coaching Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL and domestic cricket.

present situation
The Indian team is currently on a tour of England, where the three-match ODI series is going to start from Tuesday. The picture regarding the future of the coaches is expected to be completely clear during and immediately after this series. The idea of ​​two head coaches stepping down in this manner at the very beginning of Gambhir’s tenure can be a big blow to the think-tank of the Indian team, because the team has to play many important ICC tournaments and bilateral series in the future.