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India are set to retain three members of their white-ball pace attack in New Zealand to strengthen preparations for the upcoming World Test Championship
(WTC) series against the Black Caps, with Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar and Arshdeep Singh expected to stay back after the ongoing ODI assignment.
Assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed that the three fast bowlers are likely to remain in New Zealand as India begin preparations for the crucial Test series, which starts on November 19. The trio is currently part of India's squad for the five-match ODI series, with the third encounter scheduled for Tuesday.
"I think three bowlers are going to stay back anyway. Gurnoor, maybe Nabi, and I think Arsh is also staying back," Kotak said during Monday's pre-match press conference.
India's Test specialists are expected to assemble for a preparatory camp from November 11. Captain Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav and Anshul Kamboj will travel to Wellington after the third ODI to join the preparations. Kotak believes the team has already made considerable progress ahead of the assignment, with the upcoming camp expected to provide five or six practice sessions.
"All in all, I think the preparation has been very good. On top of that, the Test players will go for a camp from the 11th, where we will get five or six sessions. Fingers crossed, we should be ready for the Test series as well," he added.
The Indian trio have made excellent mark so far in the ODI series. Gurnoor Brar has been the star of the show with 7 wickets in two matches, while Arshdeep has picked up 4 wickets. Auqib also picked two wickets in the last ODI, which were also his first international wickets.
The Indian coaching staff will also be divided between the two assignments. Head coach Gautam Gambhir is expected to remain with the ODI squad for the fourth and fifth matches, scheduled for November 13 and 15 at Mount Maunganui. Bowling coach Morne Morkel and some other support staff members are likely to travel to Wellington for the Test preparations.
