India's coaching staff will divide into two groups after the third ODI against New Zealand in Hamilton. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule will stay with the ODI squad, while Sitanshu Kotak and Morne Morkel begin Test preparations in Wellington.
How the Coaching Split Is Structured
The arrangement divides the support staff across two venues and two formats. Gambhir and Bahutule will travel to Mount Maunganui for the final two ODIs of the series. Kotak, the batting coach, and Morkel, the fast-bowling coach, will go to Wellington to work with the Test group.
Kotak explained the plan in an interview with Cricinfo and at a press conference in Hamilton. He said the final decision rests with Gambhir.
| Coach | Role | Destination | Primary Focus |
|---|
| Gautam Gambhir | Head coach | Mount Maunganui | Final two ODIs |
| Sairaj Bahutule | Spin-bowling coach | Mount Maunganui | Final two ODIs |
| Sitanshu Kotak | Batting coach | Wellington | Test preparation |
| Morne Morkel | Fast-bowling coach | Wellington | Test preparation |
Why Gambhir Stays With the ODI Squad
Kotak linked Gambhir's presence in the ODI camp to the 2027 one-day World Cup. The head coach is expected to remain with the white-ball group because that tournament is approaching.
The split is an even 2-2 on the named coaches. Leadership stays with the limited-overs side, while the specialist batting and pace coaches move to the Test group.
Test Preparation Priorities in Wellington
Kotak said Test preparation will centre on fitness, workload management and practice. The staff will try to prepare as much as the conditions allow. He noted that Morkel and some other support staff would join him in Wellington.
Pairing the batting and fast-bowling coaches suggests a focus on two areas. Batters must adapt to seaming and swinging conditions, and pace bowlers must be managed carefully across formats.
Plan Remains Flexible
Kotak stressed that the arrangement could still change. His wording, "as far as I know" and "probably", shows that details such as which support staff travel where are not yet fixed.
Final confirmation is expected to come from Gambhir. Until then, the split should be treated as a working plan rather than a settled schedule.
Series Workload in Context
The timing of the split follows the ODI schedule. By the end of the third match, three of the five ODIs will be complete. Two matches, or 40 percent of the series, will remain once the Test group departs.
| Metric | Value |
|---|
| ODIs in series | 5 |
| ODIs completed at split point | 3 (60%) |
| ODIs remaining | 2 (40%) |
| Coaches travelling to Mount Maunganui | 2 (Gambhir, Bahutule) |
| Coaches travelling to Wellington | 2 (Kotak, Morkel) |
Dual-Format Demands on the Tour
India are managing two formats on one tour, which requires parallel preparation. Splitting the staff avoids the Test group losing preparation time while the ODI series continues.
The approach also reflects a broader priority. Gambhir's group stays focused on the long-term white-ball cycle leading to 2027, while the Test group gets dedicated specialist attention.
What to Watch Next
Several details remain open. These include the final composition of the support staff in each group and whether Gambhir approves the plan as outlined.
Performance indicators will show whether the split works. In the ODIs, these include results and bowling control without the batting and pace coaches. In the Tests, they include how the batting and pace units adapt to New Zealand conditions after a dedicated camp.
For now, the arrangement is a structured workload decision rather than a change in strategy. It shows that India are treating both formats as priorities on this tour.