R Sridhar to be brought back as India fielding coach

Ramakrishnan Sridhar, the former Indian fielding coach who was a part of Ravi Shastri’s team is all set to make a take back the position ahead of the 3-match Test series against New Zealand starting later this month. Abhay Sharma was appointed as the fielding coach for the tour of West Indies but if reports are believed R Sridhar will soon replace him and will fly home from Australia where he is with the India A team and be with the Test team as they prepare for the first match in Kanpur.

ESPNcricinfo reported that head coach Anil Kumble was the one who wanted Sridhar back. “Kumble contacted Sridhar immediately after he took over as coach and advised him to wait till he came back from the West Indies and took a call [on Sridhar’s appointment],” a source familiar with the developments was quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“The BCCI sent an e-mail to the India A team manager late last evening asking Sridhar to report in Kanpur ahead of the first Test. Sridhar might have to leave midway through the second four-day Test between India A and Australia A from September 15 to 18.”

Abhay is known for his stints with the Ranji sides and when Rahul Dravid took over as India U19 and A team coach, brought him in as a part of his team. He did a recognizable job there with the youngsters and when a slot was available for the senior team’s fielding coach after Ravi Shastri’s staff was sacked with him Sharma was called up to fill in the place. Batting coach Sanjay Bangar might as well continue, while with Kumble at the helm it looks like no specialist bowling coach will be appointed for the New Zealand series.

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MV Sridhar, the general manager of cricket operations of the BCCI was on Tuesday quoted in the media confirming Sridhar’s reappointment. “He will join the team in Kanpur once he leaves Australia at the conclusion of the four-day match. He will not leave the match midway through,” he had said.