Pacers Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Auqib Nabi to stay back to help Test squad: Sitanshu Kotak
toi
newspoint|10-11-2026
Even as India contest the ODI series against New Zealand, the team management is preparing to switch into Test mode. Pacers Arshdeep Singh , Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi will stay back to help the squad prepare for the two-Test series beginning Nov 19, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said on Saturday.
Kotak said the support staff could be split after the third ODI, with head coach Gautam Gambhir remaining with the white-ball squad and Kotak and bowling coach Morne Morkel travelling to Wellington to oversee Test preparations.
“Gautam will have to stay here with the ODI squad, as the World Cup is coming up, and Sairaj Bahutule will probably stay back too. Morne, some other staff members and I will travel to Wellington. This is the current plan, though Gautam will take the final call. We want to ensure the Test players get adequate preparation, with their workload, fitness and practice taken care of, as much as conditions allow. Arshdeep, Nabi and Gurnoor will, if I am not mistaken, stay back for the Tests,” Kotak said.
Players with the India ‘A’ team in Christchurch will join the Test squad in Wellington. Kotak said the lively ODI pitches had offered useful preparation. “The wicket in both ODIs had swing and when it stopped after four to six overs, there was seam movement and a little awkward bounce. In the Test match, the same thing can happen, only the ball will be red. With thicker grass and these conditions, you can get an idea in one day also. It is challenging,” he said.
Kotak also pointed to the three India ‘A’ matches as an important part of the build-up for batters and bowlers, saying they would help players understand lengths and release points. India’s Test players are scheduled to begin a preparatory camp on Nov 11, giving them five to six sessions before the series.
Kotak said the support staff could be split after the third ODI, with head coach Gautam Gambhir remaining with the white-ball squad and Kotak and bowling coach Morne Morkel travelling to Wellington to oversee Test preparations.
“Gautam will have to stay here with the ODI squad, as the World Cup is coming up, and Sairaj Bahutule will probably stay back too. Morne, some other staff members and I will travel to Wellington. This is the current plan, though Gautam will take the final call. We want to ensure the Test players get adequate preparation, with their workload, fitness and practice taken care of, as much as conditions allow. Arshdeep, Nabi and Gurnoor will, if I am not mistaken, stay back for the Tests,” Kotak said.
Players with the India ‘A’ team in Christchurch will join the Test squad in Wellington. Kotak said the lively ODI pitches had offered useful preparation. “The wicket in both ODIs had swing and when it stopped after four to six overs, there was seam movement and a little awkward bounce. In the Test match, the same thing can happen, only the ball will be red. With thicker grass and these conditions, you can get an idea in one day also. It is challenging,” he said.
Kotak also pointed to the three India ‘A’ matches as an important part of the build-up for batters and bowlers, saying they would help players understand lengths and release points. India’s Test players are scheduled to begin a preparatory camp on Nov 11, giving them five to six sessions before the series.
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