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National Cricket Academy (NCA) coaches Sitanshu Kotak and Sairaj Bautule will reportedly join VVS Laxman and his coaching staff for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour. India is set to travel to Zimbabwe for a five-match T20I series, and the side will led by young batter Shubman Gill. The series will start on July 6 and end on July 14 with all the matches being played at the Harare Sports Club.
With current head coach Rahul Dravid’s tenure ending after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, the BCCI does not have any option but to send NCA coaches for the series. It is to be understood that the cricket governing body is currently searching for a suitable successor for Rahul Dravid. Talking Kotak and Bahutule, both have been a part of India, India A and India U-19 coaching groups.
Shubman Gill-led side is set to leave for Zimbabwe on July 1. According to News 18, the BCCI Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) has interviewed Gautam Gambhir and WV Raman for the head coach position and the former is favourite to replace Dravid. Even after Gambhir is likely to take over the role, the support staff needs to be finalised and it is yet to be seen how the board will go ahead with it.
As per a senior board official, the BCCI will decide on the head coach only after the T20 World Cup 2024 as it doesn’t want any distraction. The official told News 18, “Whatever will happen, will happen after the World Cup. No point in having any distractions when the tournament is going on. Right now, all our attention should be on the team in the Caribbean and hope they end the wait for the ICC trophy.”
