Sports/Alive News: India’s fast bowlers Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi will stay in New Zealand after the ODI series to prepare for the upcoming Test matches. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed the development ahead of the third ODI.
India’s Test preparation camp will begin on November 11, with five to six practice sessions planned. Kotak said the grassy pitches and seam movement during the ODI series had also helped the bowlers prepare for the longer format.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir will remain with the ODI team, while batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and bowling coach Morne Morkel will travel to Wellington for the Test preparations.
Meanwhile, unseasonal rain has affected pitch conditions during the ODI series. Karl Johnson, head groundsman at Seddon Park in Hamilton, said excessive rain was mainly responsible for the bowling-friendly pitches.
New Zealand were bowled out for 185 and 134 in the first two matches. After Gurnoor Brar took four wickets in the second ODI, New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell compared the Wellington pitch to a trampoline because of its unpredictable bounce.
India’s practice session on Monday was also shifted indoors due to rain. The team celebrated Diwali together with dinner and live music in New Zealand, Kotak revealed.
The third ODI will be played at Seddon Park in Hamilton, where the stadium has already been declared sold out.
India currently lead the three-match series 2-0 and will look to complete a clean sweep. The team is also aiming to win its first ODI series in New Zealand since the 2018-19 tour.
