EX-CSK star set to coach India A vs Australia A; Know here
The series between India A and Australia A will commence on September 22.
India A and Australia A are set to lock horns against each other in a five-match series. The Aussies will come to Pondicherry. The series includes two unofficial Test matches and three official ODI games. The first Test will commence on September 22, while the second one will start on September 29.
Meanwhile, the three ODI’s will be played on October 6, 9, and 11, respectively. Devdutt Padikkal will lead the team in red-ball games while other names in the squad include Sai Sudharsan, Tushar Deshpande, and Anshul Kamboj. On the other hand, the Australian side will also feature a few of their top stars, such as Nathan McSweeney and Josh Philippe.
The two sides faced each other for the last time in September last year, when India A secured a 5-wicket win. However, in the last five meetings between the two sides, each has won two games, and the remaining fixture ended in a draw.
However, before the series commences, a huge change is set to be made in the coaching staff of the India A side.
Lakshmipathy Balaji to become head coach of India A for series against Australia A
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Former Indian bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji is set to be appointed as the head coach of India A, ahead of their series against Australia A.
Earlier this year, Lakshmipathy Balaji, alongside VRV Singh and more, was also shortlisted for the Centre of Excellence (CoE) coaching roles. Earlier, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wanted to appoint a bowling expert for its Bengaluru facility after Troy Cooley left.
However, as per the latest report by journalist Kushan Sarkar of PTI, the former Indian bowler has been given a rather important role in the hierarchy.
With that, Balaji will replace Hrishikesh Kanitkar, who is the current head coach of the India A cricket team. Hrishikesh Kanitkar has experience working alongside Balaji, as they are both credited with Tamil Nadu’s success in the domestic circuit.
Kanitkar was also named the stand-in chief coach of the India women’s national cricket team during the side’s run-up to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023.
When did Lakshmipathy Balaji retire from professional cricket?
Lakshmipathy Balaji retired from first-class and List A cricket in September 2016 and fully stepped away from all forms of professional cricket by 2016.
Which teams have Lakshmipathy Balaji coached before?
Balaji has coached KKR and CSK as a bowling coach.
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