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New Zealand Cricket has strategically bolstered their preparations for an upcoming subcontinent tour by recruiting two seasoned coaches: former India batting coach Vikram Rathour and ex-Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath. This move comes as New Zealand gears up for a series of high-stakes Test matches in the Indian subcontinent.
Roles and responsibilities: Afghanistan Test and beyond
Rathour’s role will be concentrated on the one-off Test against Afghanistan, set to commence on September 9. On the other hand, Herath’s expertise will be fully utilized during New Zealand’s two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Both coaches have already integrated into the New Zealand squad currently based in Greater Noida, where they are preparing to face Afghanistan at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground.
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Impact of the appointments for New Zealand
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead expressed optimism about these strategic additions, emphasizing the immense value they bring. “We’re thrilled to have Rangana and Vikram join our Test group. Both men are held in high regard in the world of cricket and I know our players are really looking forward to the opportunity to learn from them,” Stead said in a statement released by New Zealand Cricket.
He stressed that their deep knowledge of subcontinental conditions would be pivotal in refining the Blackcaps’ game plan for the challenges ahead. Stead highlighted the specific benefits Herath will bring to the team, particularly for New Zealand’s trio of left-arm orthodox spinners – Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra.
“For our three left-arm orthodox spinners in particular, Ajaz, Mitch and Rachin, having the chance to work with Rangana across three Tests on the sub-continent will be hugely beneficial. Rangana’s experience, especially his success at Galle, where he has taken over 100 Test wickets, will be incredibly valuable as we prepare for the Sri Lanka series,” Stead concluded
Upcoming challenges and Afghanistan’s coaching strategy
Following the one-off Test against Afghanistan, New Zealand will embark on a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka before returning to India for a three-match Test series. Rathour, who played six Tests for India in the late 1990s and later served as a selector and batting coach, recently contributed to India’s success in the T20 World Cup 2024 under head coach Rahul Dravid.
In a related development, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has also earlier appointed R Sridhar as an assistant coach for their upcoming series against New Zealand and South Africa. Sridhar, who served as India’s fielding coach from 2014 to 2021 under Ravi Shastri, brings a wealth of experience to Afghanistan’s coaching setup.
