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The Indian cricket team is gearing up for a tour of Sri Lanka, with a new head coach at the helm and a stop-gap solution for the bowling coach role. Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir takes over as the head coach, replacing Rahul Dravid who stepped down after the T20 World Cup. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to finalize the full coaching staff, leading to a temporary arrangement for the bowling coach position.
While Gambhir was given the responsibility to select his own support staff, his suggestions were reportedly rejected by the BCCI. The board has decided to bring in experienced Australian coach Troy Cooley as a temporary bowling coach for the Sri Lanka tour. Cooley, a highly regarded figure in the coaching world, has previously served as the bowling coach for the Indian national team and is currently a coach at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). This temporary arrangement is seen as a solution for the immediate need, as the BCCI seems to be searching for a more permanent option for the bowling coach role.
The upcoming tour of Sri Lanka holds significance for the Indian team. The tour includes three T20Is and three ODIs, providing crucial opportunities for the team to fine-tune their strategies and prepare for upcoming tournaments. Suryakumar Yadav will be leading the T20I side, taking over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma who recently retired from the format. The ODI series will serve as a vital preparation ground for the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for next year.
The team is set to depart for Sri Lanka on July 22nd, with Gambhir's formal unveiling as the new head coach set for Monday. This will be Gambhir's first assignment as the head coach of the Indian men's team. The tour is expected to be a challenging one for the new coaching setup, with the focus on building team cohesion, preparing for upcoming tournaments, and finding a long-term solution for the bowling coach position.
The appointment of Gambhir as the new head coach marks a new chapter in Indian cricket. With a strong cricketing background and a proven track record of success, he is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the team. The upcoming tour of Sri Lanka will be a test for Gambhir and his coaching staff, as they aim to guide the team to victory and lay the foundation for a successful future. The BCCI, meanwhile, will be closely observing the coaching setup and its performance, as they work towards establishing a more permanent and cohesive coaching structure for the Indian cricket team.