India’s newly-appointed T20I vice-captain Axar Patel has said he has no idea about the change in the support staff ahead of the five-match T20I series against England. The India allrounder was addressing the media before the series opener when he was asked about the support staff.
The Indian team’s support staff is under scrutiny following the team’s dismal performance in the last two Test series. India suffered a humiliating 3-0 loss in the home Test series against New Zealand. It ended India’s unbeaten run at home that stretched back to the 2012/13 season.
The defeat against New Zealand was followed by a 3-1 loss in Australia as India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since reclaiming it in 2017. The defeats also ended India’s hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship for the third time in a row.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak having a long chat since the last 20 minutes and counting. @RevSportzGlobal pic.twitter.com/DH9TfdryNI
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) January 20, 2025
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With the team underperforming against New Zealand and Australia, the support staff has found itself in the firing line. According to recent reports, the BCCI has decided to make a new addition to the support staff. Former Saurashtra star Sitanshu Kotak has been roped in as batting coach for the upcoming series against England.
Even though the BCCI is yet to make the announcement formal, Kotak was spotted at the Eden Gardens where the Indian team is training ahead of the first T20I. And when Axar Patel was asked about the support staff, he said:
“Regarding support staff, I wasn’t with the team for the last three months so I don’t know what happened in Australia but here the support staff is the same and we have been discussing on what we want to do in matches.”
While Kotak has been added to the support staff, the BCCI has decided against sacking any other member. Gautam Gambhir is currently the head coach of the team while Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate are the assistant coaches. On the other hand, Morne Morkel and T Dilip are the bowling and fielding coach respectively.
Axar Patel eyes impressive outing:
Axar Patel will be looking to make a big impact in the upcoming series as he will be keen to justify the team management and selectors’ decision to appoint him as the vice-captain. A regular in India’s T20I team, Axar Patel played a huge role in India’s victory at the T20 World Cup last year. He will be looking to make an impact with both bat and ball in the upcoming series against England.
“Being vice captain comes with added responsibility. Sometimes we have to take harsh decisions,” said Axar Patel.
Meanwhile, the first match of the series is scheduled to be played on Wednesday (January 22) at the Eden Gardens.
