Instead of the ODI series, Dravid’s squad will focus on three-day matches and practice sessions in Pretoria from December 20 to 22 before the Test series. The responsibility of coaching the ODI team under KL Rahul’s leadership has been entrusted to Sitanshu Kotak, who leads the coaching staff at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
The series of three ODIs between India and South Africa will commence on Sunday, December 17. In this series, Chief Coach Rahul Dravid and his coaching team will not be with Team India. For this series, VVS Laxman, who has previously provided coaching in various series and tournaments, will not be part of the coaching staff for the Indian team this time.
Instead of the ODIs series, Dravid’s squad will be engaged in three-day matches and practice sessions in Pretoria from December 20 to 22, leading up to the Test series. Sitanshu Kotak, under KL Rahul’s leadership, has been given the coaching responsibility for the ODI team, with the coaching staff from the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Sitanshu Kotak will serve as the head coach, Ajay Ratra will work as the fielding coach, and Rajeeb Datta, associated with the NCA, will be the bowling coach. The first ODI, apart from two others, is scheduled for December 19 in Johannesburg and December 21 in Paarl.
Dravid’s Focus on the Test Series It is believed that Rahul Dravid’s attention is now on the upcoming Test series. Team India has not won a Test series in South Africa so far. The first Test is scheduled to begin on December 26 in Centurion, and the second Test will be played from January 3 in Cape Town. With Dravid stepping away from the ODI series, it is clear that he will prioritize the Test matches and strengthen the team’s claim for the upcoming Test Championship final.
Rohit Sharma’s-Led Team Eager to Win Test Series The Indian team led by Rohit Sharma is keen to win the Test series in South Africa. In the 2021-22 series, India secured a lead by winning the first Test against South Africa but faced defeat in the last two Test matches. The team is now eager to turn the tables and clinch the Test series victory.
Players Like Kohli and Bumrah Already in South Africa Players such as Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Navdeep Saini, and Harshit Rana have already arrived in South Africa for the Test series. Rohit Sharma is expected to join them shortly. He was spotted on Friday evening at Dhirubhai Ambani School’s annual function in Mumbai and may reach Johannesburg on Saturday. Mohammed Shami is not traveling with the team as he is not fully fit, and it is likely that he will miss the series entirely.
